Many areas yet to have banks
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 22 2018: Despite the importance of banking facilities when it comes to availing the various Centre and State sponsored schemes for the poor people, the absence or lack of proper banks in many of the blocks of the State has resulted in immense inconveniences for the people of the respective blocks.

According to a reliable source, the Government has been working tirelessly to establish a bank branch each at the various blocks of the State but the attempt has mostly fallen flat on its face due to the lack of various infrastructures, including proper electricity and internet facilities.

The Government has made many attempts to establish bank branches at various blocks of the State, mostly in the hill areas and it has even discussed the issue during various State level Banks Committee meeting, the source added.

The bank branches to be established at the blocks were even decided, the source mentioned and added that the presence of a huge number of difficulties has been posing as a roadblock to development initiatives till date.

The source continued that a UBI bank branch building has already been constructed at Tousem block but the lack of electricity and water has led to failure to get the bank branch operational.

However, the matter of electricity has already been intimated to MSPDCL, the source added.

For Chingai block of Ukhrul district, a branch of Vijaya bank was supposed to be opened at the place but the lack of proper infrastructure has put the project on halt.

The same is the case with Lungchung Maiphei block of the district as well, the source added.

The source further informed that for the said block, a branch for Bank of Baroda was also supposed to be opened but the bank has reportedly informed the State Government that it has reached the maximum number of branches it can open in the State for the current financial year.

For Kasom Khullen block, the necessary building constructions have not been completed and water and electricity facilities are still missing.

The case is similar with Phungyar as well where lack of electricity has resulted in the.

failure to open a bank till date.

The source further explained that lack of proper infrastructure is also the problem with opening a bank branch at Willong block of Senapati district.

On the other hand, the source informed that works are currently underway for the establishment of an SBI bank branch at Tamei block and for the establishment of a Punjab National Bank branch at Samulamlan block, Churachandpur district.

Construction works are also under way for a bank branch at Saikot block and as soon as the construction is complete, a Manipur State Cooperative bank branch will be established at the earliest, the source added.

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