Lead Banks Urged to Expand Rural Branches for Better Scheme Access
Shivamogga
Lead banks must open new branches at rural and hobli levels to help local residents access government schemes more efficiently, advised G.P. CEO Hemant N. Speaking at the DCC-DLRC meeting held at the District Panchayat Nazirsab Hall on Monday, he emphasized the increasing number of beneficiaries in rural areas and the need for banks to establish a strong presence.
Hemant highlighted that IDBI Bank has already opened branches in Bhadravati’s rural and hobli areas, but regions like Soraba, Mudub, and Dodmaghat require additional branches. Establishing these will benefit farmers, self-employed individuals, and other residents. He urged banks to create awareness campaigns about government schemes at urban, rural, and hobli levels and educate beneficiaries on available benefits.
The self-employment training program, launched in June 2024, has trained 1,000 candidates in the district under the 2025-26 plan, with 261 participants successfully completing the program by June 2025. Hemant stressed the need to conduct pending programs in New Nagar and Tirthahalli taluks promptly and issue certificates to all participants.
Banks were also instructed to ensure proper disbursal of livestock loans under the central and state joint schemes and increase awareness of fisheries loans. In the June 2025 credit linkage program, national banks linked 400 accounts, with SBI linking 112 accounts and private HDFC linking 125. Hemant urged SBI to improve performance next time and reduce credit linkage charges.
Under PMAY, 2,809 applications were received in the district, 1,335 approved, and 220 houses delivered. The remaining 1,273 applications must be processed immediately using the e-Swathu system.
The meeting was attended by Canara Bank Deputy Manager R. Devaraj, Lead District Officer Bubul Bordoloi, NABARD’s Sharath Gowda P., and officials from various banks and departments.
