Improve banking services in NE: Org to RBI Gov

Imphal, May 10: A large number of individuals, organisations and officials today interacted with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Y V Reddy and urged him to solve the banking problems in the region.

The organisations informed Dr Reddy about the banking problems in the region, including the long queues, less number of banks, non-availability of coins and new currency notes in the state.

The Governor, after his arrival here yesterday, also discussed the about the low credit-deposit ratio, banking services in remote areas, lack of currency chests in some districts with Manipur Governor Dr S S Sidhu.

The RBI Governor said he was aware of most of the problems and had discussed the problems with the state government.

He assured to mitigate some of the problems by opening currency chests in a few places and increasing the number of bank branches.

He said while assessing bank credit in the hill areas, the land could not be mortgaged as collateral, adding that a formula will be worked out to mitigate the problem.

Pioneer Health Club, Manipur, Secretary Tomba submitted a memorandum to the RBI chief requesting him to provide special facilities of opening separate counters in the banks and other financial institutions for senior citizens of the state so as to provide easier access for the senior citizens.

The RBI Governor also approved opening up of additional ATM centres in different parts of the state.

Out of the existing 41 blocks in Manipur, 19 blocks did not have banks while nine branches of the Rural Bank operating in 95 branches of the blocks had stopped functioning.

UNI