A mega “Credit Outreach” programme was organized in Agartala and Udaipur under the initiative of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) in association with Punjab National Bank (PNB) and State Bank of India (SBI), marking a significant step towards financial inclusion and self-reliance in Tripura.

The programmes were attended by Union Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary M. Nagaraju, Tripura Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, SBI Managing Director Ashwini Kumar Tewari, PNB Managing Director and CEO Ashok Chandra, and senior officials of NABARD, UCO Bank and other banking institutions.

During the programme, loans amounting to Rs 419.11 crore were distributed among 10,162 beneficiaries under various government schemes and sectors. The schemes included retail loans, Mudra Yojana, PM Swanidhi, PMEGP, PM Vishwakarma, MSME loans, Kisan Credit Card (crop loans), KCC for animal husbandry and fisheries, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), and other categories.

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and support from NABARD, several welfare measures were also announced. An ambulance was handed over to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of West Tripura district to strengthen healthcare services. SBI provided financial assistance of Rs 36.18 lakh from its CSR funds for modernization and procurement of life-saving medical equipment in 20 hospitals.

UCO Bank sanctioned Rs 24.56 lakh for an ambulance in West Tripura district, while NABARD extended a grant of Rs 15.05 lakh to CIPET for plastic technology training aimed at empowering rural youth.

During the programme, SBI also extended financial assistance of Rs 36 lakh to the National Health Mission (NHM) for West Tripura district under its CSR initiative. At the Udaipur event held at Rajarshi Kalakshetra, financial assistance of Rs 24 lakh was handed over to the District Magistrate of Gomati district. PNB and Union Bank also donated two ambulances to the Health Department for public welfare.

Loans amounting to nearly Rs 419 crore were collectively disbursed by participating banks, of which SBI alone contributed around Rs 270 crore, playing a major role in the outreach initiative.

On the occasion, Punjab National Bank inaugurated a new ATM at the Agartala Municipal Corporation premises, while Union Bank opened a new branch at Santirbazar. A Customer Service Point (CSP) of Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) was also launched. Prior to the programme, Block Development Officers (BDOs) from across the state were felicitated.

Addressing the gathering, DFS Secretary M. Nagaraju said that easy access to loans for small traders, farmers, women’s groups and entrepreneurs would play a crucial role in strengthening Tripura’s economy. He also highlighted the importance of central government welfare schemes related to insurance, pensions and credit-linked assistance.

Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha said that the expansion of banking infrastructure, including new branches, CSPs and ATMs in remote areas, would directly benefit people across Tripura and bring positive transformation in banking and financial services in the state.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by PNB Chief General Manager Parvin Goyel.

In a similar event held later in the day at Udaipur, loans worth Rs 105.80 crore were distributed among 4,577 beneficiaries.