Agartala, May 26: A mega Credit Outreach Programme was organised at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala on Tuesday under the initiative of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) and lead bank Punjab National Bank. The programme marked a major step towards strengthening financial inclusion and self-reliance in Tripura.

The event was attended by Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, M. Nagaraju, as the chief guest. Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha, Executive Director of Punjab National Bank M. Paramasivam, along with senior officials from NABARD, State Bank of India, UCO Bank and other banks, were also present.

During the programme, loan sanction letters worth Rs 419.11 crore were distributed to 10,162 accounts under various government schemes and sectors. The sanctioned loans included retail loans, Mudra Yojana, PM SVANidhi, PMEGP, PM Vishwakarma, MSME loans, Kisan Credit Card (crop loans), KCC for animal husbandry and fisheries, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and other categories.

Apart from loan distribution, several initiatives under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and rural development were also announced. Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India handed over one ambulance each to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of West Tripura district to improve healthcare services.

Additionally, State Bank of India provided financial assistance of Rs 36.28 lakh from its CSR fund for modernisation and installation of life-saving equipment in 20 ambulances. Another ambulance worth Rs 24.56 lakh was sanctioned for the West Tripura CMO through the CSR fund of UCO Bank.

In another development, NABARD approved a grant of Rs 15.06 lakh to CIPET for providing plastic technology training to rural youth.

The dignitaries also virtually inaugurated a new ATM of Punjab National Bank at Pecharthal in Unakoti district and a new branch of Union Bank of India at Shantirbazar. A new Customer Service Point (CSP) of State Bank of India was also launched virtually during the programme.

Outstanding-performing BDOs of the state were felicitated at the concluding session of the event.

Addressing the gathering, DFS Secretary M. Nagaraju said that the large-scale loan distribution would play a vital role in empowering small traders, farmers, self-help groups and youths, while also boosting Tripura’s economy. He also stressed the importance of various central government welfare schemes, insurance, pension and credit-linked initiatives currently being implemented across the country.

Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha said the programme ensured the distribution of crores of rupees in loans and grants under different government schemes among bank customers across Tripura. He noted that the launch of new bank branches, CSPs and ATM services in remote areas would bring positive and transformative changes in the state’s banking and financial services sector.

The vote of thanks was delivered by CGM of Punjab National Bank Parveen Goel.

Meanwhile, a similar programme was organised earlier in the day at Rajarshi Hall in Udaipur, where loan sanction letters worth Rs 105.40 crore were distributed among 4,577 beneficiaries of different banks.