State Bank of India (SBI) Saturday donated Rs. 10 lakhs for the Hornbill Festival and a dumper truck to the Kohima Municipal Council as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
SBI chief general manager (NE circle) Guwahati Sunil Kumar Tandon handed over the key of the Dumper to chief minister Neiphiu Rio at his residence in Kohima. The cheque of Rs. 10 lakh was handed over to Nagaland chief secretary, Temjen Toy by Tandon.
The chief minister lauded State bank of India (SBI) for their generous donation and also acknowledged SBI for partnering with the state government from the beginning in serving the people of the state.
While admitting that Nagas have not imbibed banking culture, Rio encouraged every citizen to make use of the banking services made available to all. He also pointed out the state needed more banking as there were around 30 unbanked RD blocks. Rio therefore urged the bank officials to look into the matter. Rio also invited the bank officials to be the part of the Hornbill festival as special guests. Later, Rio flagged off the dumper truck worth Rs. 29 lakhs.
In another programme at the Heritage, chief secretary Temjen Toy said that the dumper truck donated by SBI came at the right time when KMC needed and extended his gratitude to the SBI.
He also pointed out that out of 74 RD blocks in the state 29 blocks remain unbanked and face the challenges of disbursement for various schemes. He urged the nationalised banks to open banks in these unbanked areas to cater to the needs of the rural populace. Toy also expressed gratitude to SBI for providing ATM booth and counter for foreign exchange at Kisama and also for extending financial help for the Hornbill Festival for the second time.
SBI chief general manager (NE Circle), Sunil Kumar Tandon in his address said SBI has been a committed partner in all the states. He informed that SBI with 68 branches across the state, also represents over than 40% of private sector banks.
Tandon said SBI has been spread across the state unlike other banks which concentrate more in Kohima and Dimapur.
CGM mentioned that while he was checking the performance of the bank in the state, the state economic growth of around Rs. 400-500 crores that took place between September and March 2019 came from SBI. He also urged SBI officials to focus on mudra loan to help business people in the state. Tandon also assured that SBI was ever ready to help the people of the state in whichever way possible.
KMC administrator and CEO Kohima smart city development Ltd. Kovi Meyase in his address said without the help by financial institutions towards urban local bodies (ULB) through corporate social responsibilities, sustainance of ULBs would be difficult. He said understanding the need of the city, it was through the SBI Kohima branch AGM, Hepuni Bismarck, SBI had come forward to donate.
Earlier, the programme was led by Mengulhoutuonuo Matilda, welcome address by assistant GM regional business office SBI Paogin Kaokip, special song by Pelenuo Yhome, cultural presentation by Sumi and Chakhesang tribe and vote of thanks by AGM SBI Kohima branch Hepuni Bismarck.