July 25, 2019
Manas Bhunia speaks on the need for opening bank branches in rural areas in West Bengal
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Sir, I want to raise a very important issue with respect to the implementation of the various schemes of the Union Government and State Governments. The role of nationalised banks, commercial banks and other banks are very important for delivering the benefits of government schemes. In my State, among the 3,315 gram panchayats, there is a lack of 700 bank branches. As a result, the beneficiaries are not getting the benefits of schemes, be they of the Central Government or the State Government.
Our government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has repeatedly written to the Union Government and the Finance Ministry to attract their attention for the setting up of bank branches in the unbanked gram panchayats. Unfortunately, for the last four years, the Union Government has not paid any heed to those requests and communications.
The issue was raised in several times at the state-level bankers committee (SLBC) meetings and the heads of the banks repeatedly gave assurances that they will implement the setting up of bank branches. Unfortunately though, especially in the tribal-dominated, Dalit-dominated areas and schedule caste-dominated areas, thre is still a dearth of banks.
I urge the Government and particularly the Finance Minister, through you Sir, to take this matter up very seriously so that the beneficiaries of various schemes in West Bengal are able to get their rightful benefits.
Thank You, Sir.
