Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (PS/CN)
Mangalore, Sep 4: Vijaya Bank distributed loans to fisherwomen of Dakshina Kannada district in a programme organized at Hotel Woodlands here on Saturday September 3.
Vijaya Bank CMD H S Upendra Kamath distributed the loan amount of Rs 8.2 cr to about 1,700 beneficiaries and 167 self-help groups at 3 percent interest rate and 9 percent subsidy by the government.
Addressing the fisherwomen, he said that this was a good project by the government and is associated with Vijaya Bank. “The loan has been distributed to make them economically strong. An amount of Rs 50,000 has been distributed as loan to each self-help group without want of any security. The loan amount can be used for procurement of fish, trading, and other activities of fisherwomen,” said Kamath. “Promptness in repaying the earlier loan by fisherwomen and good faith of the bank has made this facility come true,” he added.
Ramachandra Baikampady, chairman, KFDC, was present on the occasion and said that this is a good opportunity for fisherwomen to avail loans at low interest. He said that fishermen who carry out their fishing activities on inland water sources can obtain upto Rs 50,000 as loan this year based on their eligibility.
Later, Kamath addressed a press conference. He said that the bank plans to open 100 new branches in the current year with the addition of 215 new ATMs. “The inauguration will be done on the ‘Founders’ Day’ celebration of the bank. The gross NPA of Vijay Bank stood at Rs 1,450 cr and net NPA at Rs 833 cr and the bank has the goal of reaching Rs 1,53,000 cr as business. The bank has a well-diversified loan portfolio and already 40 housing loan fairs have been organized in which Rs 300 cr was distributed,” he stated.
“Traders’ meet will be held soon to boost the CASA, (current account and savings account) and further 15 gen-next kind of branches will be opened wherein people of new generation can avail the banking service at the earliest time as business machines will be placed in the lobby and customer can make any transaction without going up to the counter. Under the financial inclusion project, eight urban micro branches will be opened in the current year,” added Kamath.