Opp demands govt to improve banking facilities in rural areas

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 13, 2019

SHILLONG: Opposition Congress today demanded the state government to improve the bank penetration especially in the rural areas of the state.

“The demand for banks is increasing in the state (after implementation of the demonetisation),” Mawsynram MLA Himalaya M Shangpliang said while raising supplementary queries in the Assembly on Wednesday.

He also requested the government to consider opening one more bank in Balat area. According to him, the existing UCO bank opens only particular days.

In his reply, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma admitted that bank infrastructure is a major concern for the entire state.

However stating that the issue of extending banking facility is something which cannot be done directly by the government, Sangma further assured, “Therefore, I will take up this matter with the State Level Banker’s Committee,” he said.

On the other hand, Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh suggested the need to come up with new ideas like setting up of mini banks.

He said nearly 75 percent of the state is unbank as banks are only interested in places where economic activities are higher.

On this, the Chief Minister assured that the government will definitely explore all possibilities to improve banking facilities in the state.