IOB launches Sampoorna Scheme at Dhaliyur

[sajiv]

COIMBATORE: Indian Overseas Bank plans to implement its Sampoorna Scheme, which aims at total inclusive growth, in at least 50 villages in the State, Executive Director of the bank G. Narayanan said here on Tuesday.

Launching the programme at Dhaliyur, about 15 km from here, he said through this scheme, the bank aimed at meeting the various needs of the village such as school building, road, water tank or dispensary. "The aim is not to just extend loans but also to improve the quality of life of every individual in the village," he said.

Earlier only the wealthy, industrialists and businessmen used to avail themselves of banking services. Now, the bank adopted villages and extended assistance to the villagers for their needs. The bank would be a bridge between the public and various organisations in getting various programmes implemented here. This was the third village in the State where it was launched.

With this programme, the account holders would soon get biometric cards and would be able to get the bank's services at their door-step.

The bank would also organise marketing training, take up social forestry and encourage self-help groups. "This scheme is for your development," he said.

Dhaliyur has a population of 20,000 and assistance to the tune of Rs. 1.13 crore was distributed on Tuesday to 321 beneficiaries. This included release of subsidy for micro-irrigation, scheme for rehabilitation of manual scavengers and assistance for poultry. A farmers' club was also inaugurated.

Director of the bank M. N. Kandaswamy said the village would be a model with the credit and non-credit services extended by the bank. With such services even those who wanted to go in for self-employment at micro-level could get bank assistance.

The bank's General Manager S. Elangovan said this was a multi-faceted scheme aiming at over-all development of the adopted village. Artisans, micro-enterprises, educated youth and women could avail themselves of loan. Through the farmer clubs, information on farming techniques would be disseminated to the group members.

Cleaning of water bodies, water harvesting and health camps would also be organised.