Central Bank adopts Harrai village

February 11, 2010

Bhopal, Feb 11:  In a major step aimed at scaling up its efforts on the financial inclusion front, Central Bank of India today announced the adoption of Harrai Village near Obedullaganj in Raisen District for model development. The village is predominantly inhabited by people belonging to scheduled tribes and their socio-economic status is expected to get a boost with this latest initiative from the Bank. It is pertinent to mention here that Central Bank of India had already opened the No Frills accounts of entire womenfolk of the said village in a camp organized on Nov 4, 2009. The announcement was made by the Bank in Harrai Village in which Minister for Tribal Welfare, MP, Vijay Shah was the chief guest. The programme was presided over by Rajesh Verma, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Bhopal. Ashok Shah, IAS, MD, MP Rajya Beej Evam Farm Vikas Nigam was specially present on the occasion. The Bank also distributed biometric smart cards to the account holders and disbursed financial assistance to 151 women beneficiaries of the village amounting to Rs.51.12 lakh under different schemes like DRI, SGSY, SJSRY etc. for pursuing various vocations. Minister Vijay Shah directed the officials of the concerned departments for solving the problems of the villagers. He also told them to work for freeing the villagers from alcoholism. Surendra Patwa, MLA from Bhojpur constituency, complimented Central Bank of India for its special initiative for financial inclusion and empowerment of tribal women of the village. Rajesh Verma, Regional Director, RBI, Bhopal, who presided over the programme, explained the objectives of Financial Inclusion Programme. IPS Oberoi, Zonal Manager, Central Bank of India, Bhopal informed that on the previous occasion, the objective was to bring the population, especially the tribal women, under banking net. Today's programme aims at empowering these new entrants into the banking system by providing financial assistance to scale up their vocational pursuits, leading to improved economic status. The smart card will be operated by using thumb impression for banking transactions through hand held devices carried by business correspondents appointed by the Bank.