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Shamrao Vithal acquires Mahavir Co-op Bank (BL 08.09.06) Shamrao Vithal Co-operative Bank (SVC) has acquired Kolhapur-based Mahavir Co-operative Bank for Rs 13 crore. The process was complete on September 3, said Mr S. Hemmady, Chairman, SVC. "The acquisition of Mahavir will give us entry into the agricultural sector where we have no exposure and no experience, at present," he said. Mahavir has four branches in Kolhapur and one each in Sangli and Jaisinghpur. It also has five rural branches in Maharashtra's sugar belt. Though the staff strength of Mahavir is only 86, SVC has decided to offer a voluntary retirement scheme at the insistence of Mahavir's employees. About 55-60 employees are likely to accept the VRS, Mr Hemmady said.