Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank has taken the lead by emerging First Cooperative Bank in the country with Core Banking facilities to the customers. Chief Minister said it in the dividend presentation ceremony of HP state Cooperative Bank. Chairman, HP state Cooperative Bank Chander Mohan Thakur presented a dividend draft of Rs. 57 lakh for the year 2009-10 to the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister congratulated the Board of Directors of the HP State Cooperative Bank for the achievement thereby adding another feather to the cap of the State. He lauded the role of the bank in providing liberal finances to the enterprising Himachali which was of immense help to them in starting their self-employment ventures as also generating employment to the youth. He said that the endeavour of the Bank to keep pace with the modern banking system was laudable since E-Banking facilities had also been provided to its customers. He said that additionally the Bank was setting up ATMs at different places to facilitate convenient withdrawal of money by the account holders. He said that banks had been instrumental in giving boost to the developmental and industrial activities. He said that the network of the Bank was expanding further as 175 branches were functioning throughout the State and with a view to cater to the banking requirements of the fruit and vegetable growers one branch had also been opened at Azadpur Mandi, Delhi.
Chief Minister underlined the need to introduce hassle free mobile banking facilities which would not only help in gaining business but also facilitate the account holders to avail of banking facilities anywhere while on move. He said that such an endeavour would also help in generating employment to the local youth. He congratulated the Board of Directors for earning record profit of Rs. 82 crore for the financial year ending on March 31, 2010 which was Rs. 19 crore more than the profit earned during preceding year. He hoped that the Bank would make higher profits in the coming years. He underlined the need for expediting recovery of the loans advanced to various individuals and companies and lauded the reduction in Non-Productive Assets from 15 percent to 9 percent. He advised to enhance the business of the Bank by advancing more loans to the people of the State which would not only earn interest to the Bank but also help in creating business and entrepreneurships amongst the educated unemployed youth. He appreciated the concept of Joint Liability Group which would be help youth start their self-employment ventures in large numbers. He said that the bank needed to elaborate and diversity its activities so that more business could be gained for the Bank.
