Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the bankers to liberally sanction loans at low rates of interest to the poor and economically depressed sections of the society to ensure their financial autonomy. Addressing the beneficiaries, after launching the “Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojna” here at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that bankers could play a pro-active role in bringing down the existing exorbitant rates of interest on the loans advanced to the poor and underprivileged strata of the society. He underscored the need to provide these loans at nominal rates which would not only ensure the financial empowerment of the poor but also guarantee the recovery of these loans. Badal said that the very intent and purpose behind the concept of nationalization of banking sector could only be served meaningfully provided majority of economically deprived sections of society were propelled towards financial inclusion.Hailing the scheme which was the brain child of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ameliorate the lot of poor and disadvantaged sections, the Chief Minister said that it would certainly prove to be a milestone in transforming their destiny, which were till now leading a life in penury. He announced that Punjab, which was the frontrunner state, would also lead the nation in accomplishing the target of opening saving accounts under the scheme much before the national deadline of January 26, 2015.
The Chief Minister, while highly appreciating the firm commitment and dedication of Mr. Modi, said that this scheme would surely act as a catalyst to encompass the majority of country’s populace within the ambit of banking fold. Giving sole credit to Prime Minister for this historic decision, he said that it was unprecedented in the history of Indian polity that a pro-poor initiative of such vast magnitude had been swiftly implemented with strong political will and determination. Mr. Badal further said that this was evident from the fact that the scheme was formally announced by the Prime Minister during his address on Independence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort and today exactly after 13 days it has been launched across the country in true letter and spirit.
On the occasion the Chief Minister also handed over the banking kits to 50 beneficiaries as a token scheme’s launch.Earlier, the Executive Director of SLBC Convener Bank Mr. Gauri Shankar welcomed the Chief Minister and gave a brief account of the scheme. Later talking to the media persons, the Chief Minister said that there was no tainted leader in the Punjab Cabinet adding that it was sole prerogative of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to take any appropriate action against such Ministers, if any, as per the verdict of apex court.Asked to comment on the statement of Congress General Secretary Mr. Janardhan Diwedi advising the political leaders above 70 years to denounce active politics, the Chief Minister said that Mr. Diwedi’s ‘sermon’ was no more a judgement of Supreme Court and binding on them.
The Chief Minister declined to comment on the breaking of alliance between HJC and BJP in Haryana assembly elections terming it as their own issue. Referring to any initiative on his part for forging alliance between BJP and INLD in Haryana, he said that it was the internal matter of both the parties to have alliance or abstain from it.The Chief Minister, while terming the induction of SAD leader and former DGP Mr. PS Gill in BJP as unfortunate, said that both the SAD and BJP should refrain from poaching the leaders of each others party, as it was violation of coalition Dharma.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, his Advisor Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, MLA Mr. Manpreet Singh Aiyaali, his Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Secretary Expenditure Ms. Guneet Tej and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Rajat Aggarwal.