MoS Finance discusses problems in banking sector with Cong leaders

Lucknow, Oct 10 (UNI) Union Minister of state for Finance Sandip Bansal today held discussions on problems facing the banking sector in Uttar Pradesh with state Congress leaders.

Mr Bansal, who was here on a visit, held discussions with a group of state Congress leaders, including UP Congress President Dr Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Congress legislature party leader Pramod Tiwari and others.

Congress leaders lamented that banks do not readily accept requests by self-help groups (SHGs) for opening bank accounts.

''Similarly, banks do not easily release amounts sanctioned under Indira Awas Yojna to the beneficiaries,'' one of the various complaints/suggestions submitted to the Union Minister read.

The Union Minister was also requested to slash the current 8 per cent interest on Kisan Credit Cards to 6 per cent. Mr Bansal was also asked to direct the Mayawati government against putting farmers in tehsil lockup who fail to re-pay loans in time.

''In the next two years, the gramin banks should be linked with the core banking system so that people getting monthly pension get their due at the village level itself,'' another submission made to the minister said.

UNI