PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
In an attempt to strengthen and expand banking services in the rural areas, the State government has decided to open 34 new branches of District Cooperative Bank (DCB) in different parts of the State. The department of Cooperation has approved proposals from various districts to open new branches in the State.
The Cooperation minister Dhan Singh Rawat stated that the State government is continuously working to strengthen the rural economy through cooperation and in this regard, a decision has been taken to expand district cooperative banks across the State. He said that the department had received a total of 41 proposals from various districts for opening new branches of which 34 have been approved.
The minister informed that the new branches of the DCB will be opened in Kuwali, Chamadkhal and Nagchulakhal in Almora, Chhidarwala, Tyuni, Bhauwala, Maldevta, IT Park Sahastradhara in Dehradun, Nautha, Paukhal, Sigaddi in Pauri, Jyolikot, Kusumkheda in Nainital and Sukhidhang, Reethakhal, Khirmande, Chandak and Jakhni in Pithoragarh. Similarly these bank branches will come up in Dhanaulti, Maletha, Pavkidevi, Bagiyalgaon in Tehri, Pantnagar, Mahuadabra, Sultanpurpati, Bagwada, Nandpur, Khempur in Udham Singh Nagar, Kotdhar, Dhariklogi, Sankri in Uttarkashi and Maithan, Langasu and Nagarasu in Chamoli district.
Rawat said that at present there are 315 DCB branches in the State. “The opening of new branches will further strengthen the cooperative banking network and provide better financial services to farmers, women, self-help groups, small entrepreneurs and rural consumers. This will not only accelerate economic activity in rural areas but also strengthen the cooperative movement,’’ he said.
He said that the new branches will begin formal operations as soon as the approval from the Reserve Bank of India is received.
