SHILLONG, March 13 - During the ongoing Budget Session of the Assembly, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today expressed concern over the lack of banking facilities in some areas of the State and said that he is personally taking steps so that all parts of the State have access to banks.
He said that several meetings had been held on this issue with bankers, and that he had personally attended some of these meetings although he was not required to do so.
The Chief Minister said the State Government cannot persuade banks to open branches in any part of the country as the banks look into issues of financial viability. However, Sangma said, suggestions could be provided to banks about places where people are in need of banking services.
Sangma further assured Opposition member from the Congress, HM Shangpliang, during the Question Hour that he would look into the concerns raised about poor banking services at places like Dangar, Pongkung and Lawbah areas.
Responding to another question raised by Congress member PT Sawkmie, the Chief Minister said that there is no provision of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) providing loans to the State on an annual basis.
He said loans are provided by the ADB on the basis of proposals sent by the State for development of sectors. The proposals are routed to the ADB through the Department of Economic Affairs.
Based on the proposals, the ADB sanctions the loans. The Centre converts the loans into grants and provides for about 73 per cent or more of the total amount and the rest is the State�s share.
