Public sector banks set up financial inclusion drive

Public Sector Banks are planning to go the extra mile with their financial inclusion efforts. While the Government has asked them to provide basic banking services to all unbanked villages with a population of over 2000 by March 2012, the Banks are gearing up to cover even villages with population of between 1000 to 2000. This was indicated by top public sector banks at a meeting held to review the progress made by banks in achieving the financial inclusion plan for 2010-2012 at the Indian Banks' Association on Thursday. Over 73,000 unbanked villages in the country have been allotted to different commercial banks for coverage through the bank's financial inclusion plans. (BL 24092010)