The State Bank of India local Head Office (lHO) will soon be opened in Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Raman Singh, during his recent visit to New Delhi, has discussed the issue with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
The Finance Minister has accorded sanction for it. Inaugurating the Regional Conclave of SBI Officers’ Association here on Sunday morning, the Chief Minister said that with the opening of lHO at the present regional office of the bank and banking activities in Chhattisgarh would further be expanded. The office would have the power to appoint at lower posts in its branches, he added.
Addressing the representatives of the Association, the Chief Minister while mentioning about the financial management of the State, the size of budget and Government schemes, especially maximum allotment of funds for the schemes for social sector, said that because of it the banking business in Chhattisgarh has been expanded.
The Chief Minister said that the figure of paddy purchase from farmers has been over Rs10,000 crore. The Government has been giving Rs2,400 crore bonus to the farmers this year. The budget of Chhattisgarh, which was Rs5,500 crore in 2000, has now been crossed over Rs58,000 crore and in the near future the budget of the State could reach to Rs1 lakh crore, he added.
Singh said that banks have significant role in the financial management of the country and the State. Success of the government schemes like beneficiary oriented and community oriented schemes for financial aid to the business of people will get only with the participation of banks.The Chief Minister also mentioned about the financial activities of women self-help groups (SHGs) in Chhattisgarh and said that in view of women empowerment initiatives, it was necessary to make these groups economically strong.
He advised the SBI to fix a target and to provide loan to maximum women SHGs.Singh said that as the responsibility of operation of ration shops under the public distribution system (PDS) and Midday meal arrangement in schools have been handed over to women groups, the quality of services has definitely been improved.The State Government has started giving loan facility at one percent interest under the Chief Minister Higher Education loan Interest Grant to the youths for technical education, medical education and some other courses.