Naveen Inaugurates 2 SBI Branches, 28 Direct Sales Hubs to Boost Financial Inclusion of WSHGs

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated two new branches of State of Bank of India (SBI) and 28 FIMM (Financial Inclusion and Micro Markets) Direct Sales Hub (DSH) through video conferencing to boost financial inclusion of women self-help group members of Mission Shakti.

The two new branches have been inaugurated in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and the DSHs in 28 districts of the State.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that his government is providing interest-free loans to the members of women SHGs for their financial inclusion.

Naveen urged the banks in the rural areas to provide zero percent interest loans to the women SHGs.

The banks play a key role for the revival of livelihood of poor and migrants in the rural areas in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, which has posed a major challenge before the world, he said.

The CM also urged the SBI to open more number branches in rural areas in the State to support the rural economy.

He also praised the public sector lender for opening the new branches and Direct Sales Hub.

The Chief Minister also praised the SBI 28 FIMM (financial Inclusion and micro markets) district sales hub (DSH).

Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari, Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy, Development Commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Secretary To CM (5T) VK Pandian and senior officials of SBI were present on the occasion.