Bank of Baroda opens new branch at Leishangthem to boost financial inclusion
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, July 02 2026: In a significant step towards strengthening financial inclusion in rural Manipur, the Bank of Baroda (BoB) inaugurated its new branch at Leishangthem on Thursday, bringing banking services closer to thousands of residents in the area and neighbouring villages.

The branch was inaugurated by Special Secretary (Home), Ahanthem Subhash Singh, who attended the function as the chief guest.

The newly opened branch is the 18th Bank of Baroda branch under the Jorhat Region of the North East Zone.

The inaugural programme was presided over by Branch Head of Bank of Baroda, Leishangthem, Tongsin Glory Anal.

Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Thoubal, Aribam Amarjit Sharma, and Block Development Officer (BDO), Thoubal CD Block, Surma Thiyam, attended the event as guests of honour.

Addressing the gathering, Ahanthem Subhash Singh said that although the Government of India has introduced several welfare schemes for the public, many beneficiaries have been unable to access them due to the absence of nearby banking facilities.

He noted that people in rural areas often have to travel long distances and sacrifice valuable working hours to avail banking services.

The Special Secretary said the Government of India, through the Department of Financial Services, has been taking steps to expand banking infrastructure by opening bank branches in block headquarters and urban local bodies with populations of around 3,000 or more.

He expressed confidence that the new Leishangthem branch would greatly benefit not only the residents of Leishangthem but also people from nearby villages by eliminating the need to travel to Thoubal town for routine banking services.

He further informed that steps have already been initiated to open another Bank of Baroda branch at Shikhong Sekmai, further expanding banking access in the region.

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