The Hyderabad Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HKCCI) has urged Ashwini Mehra, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, Bangalore, to ensure setting up a new zonal office of the bank here.
In a letter to Mr. Mehra, which was released to the press here on Saturday, HKCCI president Umakant Nigudgi said Union Minister for Labour and Employment M. Mallikarjun Kharge and former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, MP, had spoken to Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on the issue.
The Finance Minister had discussed the matter with the SBI Central Office in Mumbai, which had directed Mr. Mehra to take appropriate action.
A zonal office was necessary, Mr. Nigudgi said and added that Gulbarga was poised for development, considering the increase in production of red gram and paddy, and the nine new cement factories coming up in the district. A major thermal power plant was also being set up at Farhatabad, on the outskirts of the city, he added.
Besides, the extension of benefits under Article 371 (J) of the Constitution to the Hyderabad Karnataka region would also help in the overall development of the region, and boost its economic development, he added.