NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, OCT 14
State-run Punjab National Bank will focus on agriculture, retail and the MSME sectors in Gujarat to boost the state’s economy, said a top official of the bank here on Tuesday.
According to Sanjay Kumar ED, PNB, “Agriculture is a vital aspect of the Indian economy supporting around 50% of the rural population and around 60% of the livelihood. It is imperative to focus on empowering villages and establishing more agripreneurs that will boost economic growth. Our constant efforts aim towards educating the villagers on various government schemes and products available while providing them ease of banking and unified services. PNB also offers digital services in native languages to make banking more accessible, convenient, and user friendly.”
This is his first visit to Gujarat after the amalgamation of OBC and United Bank of India with it.
Kumar added that the bank has initiated “GRAM Sampark ABHIYAN- a financial inclusion & literacy camp” in Gujarat, Under this initiative, it is aiming at empowering villages by reaching the hinterland and spreading its roots in the rural areas. In Gujarat, a total of 37 districts have been identified for Gram Sampark Abhiyan centred on four key themes – Digital, Credit, Social Security & Financial Literacy that will encapsulate various activities and prescribes the cherished theme of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ with two camps per branch will be held every month by December 2020.
He also informed that PNB will focus on Agriinvestment credit scheme, self-help group scheme & PSB59 Minutes loansas a recovery strategy for industries from COVID19 slowdown.
The bank is also reaching out to MSME customers through various modes of communication and has been offering assistance related to the government schemes as well as its schemes for the early revival of the struggled units.
Sanjay Kumar also inaugurated PNB Loan Point at Gandhinagar a credit vertical to deal with agriculture, retail, and MSME credit for customers of Gujarat.
Zonal Manager Sunil Kumar Goyal informed that PNB launched the DIGITAL Apnaye campaign in which the bank will contribute Rs 5 to PM Care fund on behalf of the customers for 6 specific first-time transactions. They are Registration on BHIM PNB, the transaction on BHIM PNB, financial Transaction through Rupay Debit card through POS, financial Transaction through Rupay Debit Card on e-commerce website, Fund transfer using Aadhar enabled payment system, fund transfer to BHIM merchant using Aadhar enable payment system. The AEPS (Adhar Enable Payment System) is majorly used in Rural India hence will pitch Digital Rural India in BIG way.
