MP govt to launch financial inclusion drive across state

To meet the total financial inclusion programme to be launched by Union government on August 15 this year Madhya Pradesh has geared up to launch its total financial inclusion drive in its all 51 districts. This will ensure timely payment of wages and other compensation against various government-sponsored welfare schemes.

"The banking service area mapping has been completed in all 51 districts in Madhya Pradesh. The area of operation has been allotted for implementation of total financial inclusion (Sampoorna Vittiya Samavesh) to all banks in all districts has also been completed. Opening of accounts of Head of every household will commence from August 15 in camp mode," a senior government official said.

Every bank will prepare a monthly and quarterly calendar for holding camps in allotted areas and connectivity issue is to be informed to state level bankers committee. "The bank will have rights to shift the business correspondent, who will operate accounts, locations to the village within 5 km radius, where connectivity is available. If there is no connectivity in any of the villages, banks will have to explore to provide satellite connectivity through VSATs for those locations," the official said, adding, Ministry of Finance may be requested to reimburse the cost of the same to banks through the financial inclusion fund.

At least one account for every household in the country is mandatory, for the head of the household. Every household will have access to banking services within 5 km by September 2015 except hilly, tribal, forest and desert areas.

"The idea was floated by state government to provide banking services by bank branches within periphery of five kilometers," the official said. Under the plan Issuance of Rupay Card in accounts is to be encouraged. But the bankers will have to ensure that the card and accounts should not become dormant through motivating account holder to make card transactions.

"An overdraft limit of Rs 5,000 is to be allowed to the account after a reasonable period and after taking into consideration the saving or credit history of account holder," the official said.