A.H. Vishwanath on Sunday suggested that national rural bank of India should be established by amalgamating the regional rural banks (RRBs) to improve the efficiency of the banks operating in the rural areas.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 9th triennial conference of the All Karnataka Grameen Bank Employees’ Federation here.
Mr. Vishwanath said that he would convey to the Centre the RRB employees’ demand for setting up of National Rural Bank of India.
He said that if regional rural banks were strengthened, it would serve a dual purpose. It would not only improve implementation of government welfare schemes by reaching the benefits to the needy but would also check the functioning of private financiers in rural areas.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was slated to inaugurate the conference, could not make it. So, Mr. Vishwanath inaugurated it and delivered the inaugural address.
Mr. Vishwanath expressed concern over staff shortage in banks.
“Not just banks, other sectors are also facing staff shortage. There is about 30 per cent staff shortage in banks in the State, and in north Karnataka it is even more. I will urge the Chief Minister to address the issue for facilitating effective implementation of government welfare schemes”.
The federation presented a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister to Mr. Vishwanath.
Minister for Revenue and in charge of Mysore district V. Sreenivas Prasad said he would discuss with the Chief Minister the federation’s demand for setting up National Rural Bank and State Rural Bank. Kaveri Grameena Bank Chairperson Somashekara Shastry spoke. Describing RRBs as the “champions of rural economy”, he said the business turnover of RRBs in the country is around Rs. 35,000 crore, and their market lending was substantial.
