Underlining the need for making state’s cooperative banks as a leading one in the country, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that it would immensely benefit the weaker and disadvantaged sections of the society by imparting valuable services to them. Addressing the newly inducted Senior Managers, Managers and Information Technology Officers in the Punjab State Cooperative Banks here at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that the Cooperative Banks play a leading role in providing banking services to the people residing in the rural areas of the state due to which the state government had laid special emphasis on strengthening and modernizing these banks. Mr. Badal said that these officers would not only play a pivotal role in improving the functioning of the Cooperative banks but would also help in improving the economic lot of the farmers besides playing a key role in rural development. He said that though the state government had already taken path breaking initiatives for upgrading the infra structure in these banks but the shortage of requisite Human resource in them was a major obstacle in delivering quality services to the customers. However Mr. Badal said that with the recruitment of these 90 professional officers the entire functioning of these banks would witness sea change in deliverance of customer centric services to the people.
Exhorting the newly appointed officers to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and commitment, the Chief Minister said that there was no short cut to success as a person could excel in his career only through sheer hard work and devotion. Mr. Badal expressed hope that through their hard work and sincerity these young officers would infuse a new spirit in the working of the Cooperative banks thereby carving a niche for themselves in this field as a real professional. He also directed the officers of the cooperative department to fulfill the remaining vacant posts in the department so that far better services could be delivered to the customers.
In his welcome address Financial Commissioner Cooperation and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SK Sandhu apprised the Chief Minister that these officers have been selected through a competitive exam conducted in a transparent manner. Sandhu also informed the Chief Minister that with the recruitment of these officers the functioning of these banks would get a major boost, besides being instrumental in imparting quality services to the people. He said that in last two years the department has conducted a recruitment drive to fill 1044 vacant posts adding that around 450 officers/ officials have been given promotion during these years. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also handed over the appointment letter to the newly appointed officers.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Chairman of Punjab State Cooperative Banks Mr. SS Murar, Registrar Cooperative Societies Mr. AS Miglani and Managing Director Punjab State Cooperative Banks Mr. Kamaldeep Singh Sangha.