Bhubaneswar, Feb 29: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday launched as many as 2000 CSP Plus outlets under the “AMA Bank” initiative.
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These centers will facilitate banking services in all unbanked Gram Panchayats of the State.
While dedicating these outlets for the rural people Naveen said, Financial inclusion is the foundational premise of social and economic progress and empowerment of people. No country or state can ever attain inclusive growth without achieving financial inclusion for its people. Reaching out to the people at the bottom of the pyramid and delivery of public services to the last mile in a fair and transparent manner has been the highest priority agenda of Government.
The Government of Odisha in collaboration with 6 public sector banks namely SBI, PNB, UBI, UCO Bank, Bank of India and Bank of Baroda has launched an ambitious and people-centric scheme named “Ama Bank” for providing banking services through CSP Plus banking outlets to every unbanked GP.
The scheme is being implemented in a phased manner to cover all unbanked GPs of the State with in the current financial year 2023-24. Government of Odisha is providing rent free banking space for 5 years along with electricity and internet connectivity. The State Government is also bearing one-time expenses for Fixed Cost & Recurring expenses for a period of three years. A provision of Rs. 500 Cr. has been made for this purpose.
In the first phase, 750 CSP plus outlets were opened to extend banking services in the rural suburbs . Now they are rendering full-fledged banking services like deposits, advance, remittance, Loan, Aadhar Enabled Payment System, credit linkage to SHGs, coverage under social security schemes etc. free of cost. The poor rural people in Odisha do not have to travel long distances any more to avail the benefits under different schemes, particularly KALIA, MAMTA, and old age Pension or to apply for a small business loan. This is truly inclusive and empowering for the people the State.
The Programme was attended by Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, Chief Secretary P.K. Jena, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Principal Secretary, Finance, Principal Secretary, PR & DW Department, Principal Secretary, Electronics and IT Department, SBI CGM and Controlling Heads of All Banks.
