302/2022-2023
Aizawl, the 10th January 2023: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati interacted with the visiting officials from the State Bank of India and the officials of Regional Rural Banks (RRB) at Raj Bhavan today. In the first meeting, Governor was apprised by Shri V Siva Kumar, General Manager(RRB), SBI Corporate Center, Mumbai and Shri Jaya Chandra, Chairman, Mizoram Rural Bank on the new initiatives of their bank along with its progress report. Later on, Governor was also met by Shri Rakesh Kumar Ravi, Regional Manager, SBI who had a briefing on the new initiative of the SBI in the state.

Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, during his interactions with the bank officials, stressed the need for proactive actions from the banking sector in achieving financial inclusiveness. While acknowledging the improvement of banking facilities throughout the state he pointed out that more work is still needed. Even though there is a visible improvement in the enrolment of bank customers in various social security schemes as depicted in the SLBC report, Governor urged the bankers to give more efforts in creating awareness of the benefits of Mudra Loan to small business units such as the street vendors. In this connection, he suggested a street survey in which as many as the street vendors are reached out and informed about the advantage of availing of small amounts of loans such as Mudra Shishu loan( upto Rs 50,000) and Mudra Kishor Loan ( beyond Rs 50,000/- and upto Rs 10 Lakh).

Governor also urged the bankers to keep improving the enrolment of beneficiaries in schemes like PMJDY, PMJJBY, PMSBY, etc.

Shri V Siva Kumar, General Manager (RRB), SBI Corporate Center, Mumbai and Shri Jaya Chandra, Chairman, Mizoram Rural Bank apprised the Governor about launching of the internet banking facilities for the Mizoram Rural Bank on yesterday, first among the RRBs in the North East India Region. Through the newly launched internet facilities, the MRB customers will have internet banking facilities at 500 branches and customer service points across the state. The MRB officials also apprised the Governor of the proposal to open more branches in the state with a special focus on the Siaha and Chawngte areas.

Shri Rakesh Kumar Ravi, Regional Manager, SBI briefed the Governor about the progress made by SBI. He also shared the initiatives taken up by the SBI for improving the banking facilities within the aspirational district of Mamit and the proposal to open more bank branches across the state within a few years.