Government of Uttarakhand
Information and Public Relations Department
12 E.C. Road, Dehradun.
Press Note
Dehradun, 23 May:
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and Governor, Reserve Bank of India Dr. D Subbarao discussed various issues pertaining to banking sector at Secretariat on Wednesday. Both of them laid emphasis on Electronic Banking.
Chief Minister Bahuguna said that he would like the banks to carryout various other banking activities, more investments in the state other than its routine works. Stating that Uttarakhand had 68 percent forest cover, Mr. Bahuguna said that there was need to invest in other sectors also. He also observed that development of the state was not possible without touching forest areas. He said that banks should, under its Corporate Social Responsibilities, work for the uplift of minorities, farmers and other sections of the society.
Mr. Bahuguna said that the State Government was focusing on the development of border, remote and backward areas. He said that the State Government would do its homework in the areas where banks could contribute in the development of the state, and put it in Banker's Meet scheduled to be held on Thursday. He said that banks could take advantage of sufficient availability of human resource and high literacy rate in the state. Stressing on the Electronic transfer, Chief Minister said that this should be introduced at tourist places so that the tourists get easy excess to their money which would subsequently increase state revenue.
RBI Governor Dr. Subbarao said that Uttarakhand which was in its infant state should try to come at par with other developed state in E-Banking. He said that banks would be asked to focus on remote areas and maintain proper ratio while opening bank branches at plain and hill areas. He said that banking sector was ready to extend its network provided state government extended all required assistance to them. He said that the Regional Office of RBI would be further strengthened. Dr. Subbarao said that Uttarakhand should take advantage of Dehradun's image as education hub and should try to make other districts too an education hub. He also asked to develop E-banking in the state.
Finance Minister Dr. Indira Hridayesh stressed on micro-financing, providing loan without guarantee and relax set standard of 2000 person for opening a bank branch. She said that 80 per cent villages were having population under 500 due to which they were deprived of banking facilities.
Also present on the occasion were Revenue Minister Yashpal Arya, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, Secretary Finance Radha Raturi, Secretary Tourism SS Sandhu, Regional Directors of RBI Lucknow Ravi Mishra, Delhi Chandan Sinha and Uttarakhand RL Das.
