Lok Sabha Question No. 3644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-20
Subject: New Bank Branches in Maharashtra
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Prataprao Govindrao  Patil Chikhalikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3644

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2021/AGRAHAYANA 29, 1943 (SAKA)

## New Bank Branches in Maharashtra

3644. SHRI PRATAPRAO PATIL CHIKHLIKAR

- Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the number of nationalised bank branches is very less in Nanded district of Maharashtra; (b) if so, whether enormous difficulties are being faced by the traders, farmers in making financial  transactions  and  obtaining  loans  owing  to  shortage  in  the  number  of  bank branches; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government has prepared any action plan to set up new branches of nationalised banks; (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  time  by  which  the  work  is  likely  to  be
- completed; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## Answer

## The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (DR BHAGWAT KARAD)

(a) to (c) As per Jan DhanDarshak App data (JDD App), as on 30.11.2021, there are 238 Bank Branches in Nanded District including 110 branches of Public Sector Banks. This district  has  79  Banking  Touch  Points  per  lakh  population  which  is  at  par  with  State (Maharashtra) average and it is more than the National average of 71. Banking touchpoints  including  Bank  Branches  and  Banking  Correspondents  (BCs)  in  district  are providing convenient, seamless banking facility for the people of the district. In addition to their normal banking activities BCs are also spreading awareness about loan products &  facilitating  identification  of  borrowers,  collection  and  preliminary  processing  of  loan applications received from their customers.

(d) to (f) In terms of the revised guidelines issued by Reserve bank of India (RBI) vide circular on 'Rationalization of Branch Authorization Policy' No. DBR.BAPD.BC.69/22.01.001/2016-17 dated May 18, 2017, the term ' Branch' has been substituted  by  'Banking  Outlet  (BO)'  which  includes  both  physical  brick  and  mortar branches and Business Correspondent (BC) outlets to enable banks in expanding their network even in remote rural areas in a cost-effective manner for hassle free services to customers in rural areas. In  pursuance of RBI guidelines, rolling out of banking outlets in uncovered areas is a continuous  process  and  looked  after  by  State  Level  Bankers'  Committee  (SLBC)  in consultation with the concerned State Government, member  banks and other stakeholders. Banks consider proposals for opening banking outlets in the light of RBI's instructions,  their  business plans and their commercial viability. To further assess the viability for opening a banking outlet, banks carry out survey as required.

Further, to ensure availability of banking outlet (Bank branch/Business Correspondent), within 5 kilometers of all inhabited villages, the Government has launched a Geographic Information  System  (GIS)  based  app.,  namely,  Jan  Dhan  Darshak  App  (JDD  App) developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC). Banks upload the GIS location of their branches, Business Correspondents (BCs) and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) on the app. As per data uploaded by the banks on JDD App as on 30.11.2021, out of the 5.538 lakh mapped villages on the app, 5.535 lakh (99.96%) villages are having a banking outlet (branch or BC) within 5 kilometers distance.

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