CM inaugurates new bank branch in Sukma's Jagargunda

Raipur: The people of the Jagargunda area in Sukma district, long affected by Maoism, will now have access to banking facilities.

Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday virtually inaugurated a branch of Indian Overseas Bank in Jagargunda, Sukma, from his official residence. This new branch is set to benefit approximately 14,000 villagers residing in the surrounding 12 villages, officials said.

CM Sai described the occasion as a historic day for the region's residents, noting the area's long struggle with Maoism. He attributed the opening of the bank branch to this progress, which will now facilitate the delivery of welfare scheme benefits to the local population.

The CM highlighted the state govt's strategy focused on security, development, and trust-building, along with the continuous efforts of security forces and the strong resolve of both the central and state govts.

He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee to provide banking facilities in all gram panchayats. In line with this, he mentioned the launch of 1460 Atal Panchayat Digital Seva Kendras on April 24, National Panchayat Day, covering 10 gram panchayats in each development block, where villagers have already begun to avail themselves of banking services. He assured that these facilities would be extended to all gram panchayats within the next year.

Finance Minister O P Choudhary reminisced about his time as the collector in Dantewada when the area was heavily affected by Maoists, making travel to the interior a matter of consideration. He pointed out that in 2001, a branch of Gramin Bank was located in the same building, which faced an attempted looting by Maoists.

He expressed satisfaction that a bank branch was now opening in the same location, enabling villagers to receive benefits from schemes like tendu patta bonus and Kisan Samman Nidhi directly in their villages.