Mon, June 6 (MExN): Making a joint appeal to set up SBI bank branch at Tobu ADC hq under Mon district, the Konyak Union (B) Mopong; Konyak Union (B) Tobu; and Tobu Area Students Union have written an open letter the AGM SBI, RBO, Mokokchung.
The request letter appended by the president of all the three unions stated that the demand to open SBI Branch at Tobu is a joint demand which includes three administrative circles – EAC Mopung, SDO Civil Monyakshu and ADC Tobu. They said that the demand was initiated since 2008; however, no concerned authorities have taken up the matter.
The letter addressed that as far as the Government of India and banking policies are concerned, priority is given to bank the unbanked areas, reaching out to the rural population for economic upliftment and development. It is known and as instructed, there must be a bank in a place where there is a population of more than 5000. Whereas, in contrast, the sub-division of Tobu ADC Headquarter with a population of 57,703 (2011 census), 26 recognized villages (latest extract), 22 state government departments with DDO powers, 3 Central Government Departments, 45 Government Schools and a Higher Secondary school, 9 private schools, 8 Government Dispensaries, 5 Government Hospitals and numerous business establishments and as many Self-Help Groups are functioning without a bank till date.
The nearest bank available is located at a distance of 95 Kms which is SBI Aboi Branch and maximum banking transactions are done at SBI Mon Branch which is at a distance of 135 Kms and more than 170 kms from the extreme villages of Tobu sub-division causing numerous hardships and difficulties to the Government employees, students, business establishment and the general public of Tobu Sub-Division to carry on their day-to-day banking transactions.
The letter also stated that viewing the difficulties of the people of Tobu Sub-Division, and having known the fact that 99% of this region have an account in the State Bank of India, a meeting minute was passed in the SLBC meeting dated 22.06.2015 under the chairmanship of Sh. Pankaj Kumar, Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland allotting an SBI Branch to be set up at Tobu HQ.
However, till date, nothing has come to reality as expected from the concerned bank. It is to be noted that the survey to establish a bank branch has already been conducted twice, wherein; it is hoped and believed that positive and viable report was submitted to the concerned authority.
Therefore, taking all of the facts into consideration, the setting up of an SBI Bank Branch at Tobu is a public demand, the letter stated while adding, “It is the people’s demand and should not be politicized in any form and must not be considered a personal issue with a keen individual interest, remaining reluctant to the hue and cry of the public needs.”
Therefore, the concerned authority is requested to take up the matter on priority by setting up the bank at the earliest where the full cooperation of the public is assured and will be ensured for the smooth functioning of a bank.
“Your positive response to our request is awaited for giving us an equal opportunity to avail the benefits of banking facilities like rest of the citizens and to let us be a part of total financial inclusion programme of the country in general,” joint appeal letter added.
