Banks should open new branches to keep pace with increased economic activities: Manik Sarkar

To cope up with Tripura's growing economic activities, result of the existing peaceful situation as insurgency has waned from the state, banks should come up with new branches throughout, said Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

He said this after opening of the new Agartala branch of the State Co-operative Bank here.

Sarkar viewed that a time was there when due to the militant activities, many branches of nationalised banks particularly in the remote areas, had to be shutdown but at present, the situation is different and peaceful which is leading to growing economic activities in the state and hence banks should open their facilities at the doorstep of people.

"A time was there when due to militant activities we had to withdraw the branches of the nationalised banks from the remote areas but at present this problem no more exists and day and night activities go on," said Sarkar.

He added that Tripura is so peaceful that around a year back the state government has decided to withdraw the Arm Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and after that there has been no official record of any militant activity in the state.

The Tripura Chief Minister said, "We have now withdrawn AFSPA, the special power given to military to counter insurgents. It is around a year back we had withdrawn the AFSPA from our state and during this one year period militants could not conduct any submissive act but there is no room for complacency. Existing peaceful and democratic situation is leading to economic development, agricultural improving, business is growing, small and medium industries are coming up, rail connectivity is moving up to Sabroom. We are taking the project for a substitute national highway and widening of the existing national highway is going on. Air connectivity is improving and tele-connectivity has reached up to the remote villages."

Sarkar asked the banks to come up with new branches throughout the state and viewed that State Co-operative Bank should take initiative in this.

"All these have lead to a demanding economic engagement in our state. Banks keeping pace with it has to come up with new branches and co-operative bank has to play a leading role in this," said Sarkar.