Banking services at doorsteps

The District Collector, Mr S.S. Jawahar, launched ‘Canara Gramin Vikas Vahini’ scheme at Thottiyapatti village, 40 km West of Madurai recently, in an effort to take banking services to doorsteps in remote villages, under a nationwide scheme initiated in June. Executed through a van service equipped with public address system, the branch manager travelling in the van has the authority to sanction spot loans for eligible candidates, who could come and collect the amount the next day at a nearest branch, according to Mr Murugaprabhu, Senior Manager, Canara Bank. Apart from carrying requisite forms to open bank accounts and pamphlets on different schemes, the van will carry the latest farming techniques developed by agricultural colleges. The villages would be intimated in advance of the visit and would operate on a fixed schedule, round the year.