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Which State launched scheme to improve banking penetration in 4,373 Panchayats?
A)
Odisha
B)
Jharkhand
C)
West Bengal
D)
Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer :   Odisha


The Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved to open banking outlets in 4,373 unbanked gram panchayats at a cost of Rs 500 crore in Aug 2023.

Aim : To improve financial inclusion, will be implemented in coordination with six public sector banks in a phased manner.

The Odisha government will provide rent-free banking space for five years. It will also bear one-time expenses for fixed cost and recurring expenses for a period of three years, said officials.

“Financial inclusion is a high-priority agenda of the government and it’s a critical challenge for Odisha, given the low banking penetration in the state. Banking is an essential service for financial inclusion,” said finance minister Bikram Keshari Arukha.

Notably, there is also very slow or negligible progress in Odisha regarding the establishment of brick-and-mortar branch. Under the new scheme, the government will set up customer service point-plus (CSP plus) outlets in unbanked panchayats.

Arukha said people residing in all unbanked panchayats of the state will now have easy access to all kinds of banking services free of cost. “Senior citizens, differently-abled people and pregnant women will get doorstep banking services and they can avail direct benefit transfer of the government in a timely manner,” said the minister.

To facilitate faster and easier deployment of telecom infrastructure to enable speedy 5G rollout, and to mitigate operational difficulties and improve quality of telecom services, the Odisha government amended the Odisha Mobile Towers and Telegraph Line, OFC and related Telecom Infrastructure Policy, 2017. The amendment has been done to align the policy with the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules, 2022.

The cabinet also approved a new scheme NUA-Odisha —Nutana (new), Unnata (developed), Abhilasha (aspirational) — with an outlay of Rs 385 crore that aims to skill one lakh youth every year in the state during the next three years.

“The scheme will work towards addressing the scarcity of skilled human resources in emerging trades by offering high-quality training, fostering industry linkages, and enhancing employability skills,” said chief secretary PK Jena..

Source : Indian Express

Published On : August 13, 2023
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