The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Rural initiative by bank floors villagers

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Tuesday, Feb 12, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Rural initiative by bank floors villagers

Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

SBI to extend loans to all eligible persons as part of ‘Apna Gaon’ scheme

— Photo: M. Murali

playing guardian: SBI Managing Director S. K. Bhattacharya handing over a school bag and uniform to an orphan Ch. Rajeshwari, who was adopted by the bank in Veldi village in Warangal on Monday.

RAGHUNATHPALLY (WARANGAL DT.): A small village Veldi comprising a population of 3,500 wore a festive look on Monday and the whole village waited for a guest. It was a great occasion for them as the State Bank of India decided to bestow upon them an opportunity which other villages do not get.

The whole village waited for the SBI managing director S. K. Bhattacharya and rural sector banking chairman D. N. Balodi. When they arrived there to declare the inclusion of Veldi village in the ‘Apna Gaon’ scheme by the bank, the villagers blew trumpets and amidst beating drums, the guests were taken around.

Orphans adopted

The bank was generous enough to adopt two orphaned children – Chenchu Rajeshwari of Class V and Singapuram Rajith of Class VII. The bank officials also gifted a wheel chair to a handicapped boy and two computers – one each to the local school and federation office of self-help groups in the village.

As part of the ‘Apna Gaon’ project, SBI regional manager P.C.J. Chakradhar Rao said the bank would extend loans to all eligible people in the village. The bank linkage to SHGs, agricultural loans and small and medium enterprises are some which the bank would provide financial assistance.

Village sarpanch P. Uppalaiah Goud said they were all elated with the gesture. “The banks make one go round them asking for some or other paper. One gets really vexed with the attitude of bank officials. We are fortunate that the bank indeed has come to our village,” he said.

Mr. Goud urged his fellow villagers to make use of the facility and extend cooperation to the bank officials. Mr Balodi said they always believed that the nation’s development included the development of farmers in rural areas. The bank desires to increase its volume of business in rural areas by serving the farmers as much as it does to urban clients. “You should all come to the bank and liberally take loans. As you pay back, we will give more and more loans. We are coming to you and you take our help,” he told the cheering villagers.

Top priority

Mr. Bhattacharya said the bank contemplates to provide to the rural farmers all that is due to them and accord top priority to agricultural sector. Earlier, the bank officials inaugurated a free veterinary medical camp organised in the village.

SBI officers – CGM Shaymalacharya, GMs Ashok Pandey, Taori, DGM Raji Varma and Vaidyan and others were present.

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