Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

22-May-2012 19:32 IST

As reported by State Bank of India (SBI) and United Bank of India (UBI), Convenor banks for State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) for North Eastern (NE) States, various community development programmes have been taken-up by the Public sector Banks (PSBs) in the NE States, which, interalia, include donation of ceiling fans, water purifiers, multiutility services vehicle, school buses, ambulances, hand pumps, wheel chairs and X-ray machines apart from organizing eye-checkups, blood donations and free medicine distribution camps.

In addition, United Bank of India has informed that they have set up a United Bank Socio Economic Foundation Trust in 2007 which has provided financial assistance to 45 proposals amounting to Rs. 89.24 lakhs for socio economic development in North Eastern Region (NER).

To provide training for self-employment of youths, farmers and women, the Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks have set up 20 Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETIs) in NER. Out of these 20 RSETIs, 14 are in Assam, 2 each in Meghalaya and Tripura and 1 each in Nagaland and Mizoram.

Besides, training programmes are organized by the banks for the beneficiaries of Central Government Sponsored Schemes like Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) and Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY).

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

DSM/SS/Hb

Public Sector Banks community development: banks support local welfare and training to promote self-employment and skills. Public Sector Banks have undertaken community development initiatives in the North Eastern States, providing donations of medical and utility equipment, organizing health camps and blood donation drives, and establishing livelihood support through twenty Rural Self Employment Training Institutes. United Bank of India's Socio Economic Foundation Trust has provided financial assistance for regional development projects, and banks run training for beneficiaries of central government employment schemes to promote self-employment and skills.