The banks have already set up banking outlets in all the 419 villages having 2000 or more population largely through BC model and Brick and Mortar branches in some villages. BCAs were engaged in 414 villages B & M branches were opened in 5 (five) villages. 606147 accounts have been rolled out up to March, 2014.(List enclosed)

At the directives of IBA, 619 villages having population less than 2000 were identified in Tripura for providing banking services. The Banks have since covered all the 619 villages through BC model. But as per Govt of India guidelines under FI Plan at least 5% of the total villages (619) should have Brick & Mortar branches. Accordingly SLBC Tripura identified 35 centers for opening of Brick & Mortar Branches and allotted amongst the different Banks. So far 34 Brick & Mortar branches have already been opened and 1 (One) branch is yet to be opened in the village namely Thirthamukh (list enclosed).

In accordance with the directives of The Dept. of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India in its circular F No. 21/13/2009-FI (Pt) of DFS, MOF, GoI dated 21.10.2011 on Strategy and Guidelines on Financial Inclusion, 27 villages of under banked districts were identified and allocated among the banks for branch opening within Sept 2012. The DFS in its circular dated 20.3.2012 has clarified that in the under banked districts all villages with 5000+ population should have a bank branch by September 2012. It was also clarified that banks can set up Ultra Small Branches in those villages where regular Brick & Mortar branches are not considered viable. Up to March 2014, the banks have opened 25 B & M branches. Out of the remaining two, UBI has already opened a branch at Chakmaghat which is about 1km away from Uttar Gokulnagar. The village Central Catchment is no longer in existence in the said name. (List of 27 villages with status is enclosed)

The DFS, MOF, GoI in its circular dated 28.12.2011 and 09.2.2012 directed that at all villages having 2000+ populations where opening of conventional brick & mortar branch is presently not viable, the bank may set up Ultra Small Branches. USBs can later be upgraded in to a regular bank branch on reaching the desired level of business. In the 103rd SLBC meeting, Govt. of Tripura, placed a list of 107 nos of Ultra Small Branch(USB) / Brick & mortar and 170 nos of ATMs for opening in Tripura in connection with implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer. Accordingly a meeting was convened by rhe Hon’ble Finance Minister GOT at the State Secretariat Building, Agartala on 19.02.2013.

In the meeting center wise detail discussion was made by the minister and the members of the committee and 80 (eighty) centers were selected out of 107 and allotted to different banks for opening of Ultra Small Branch as per Annexure. Since there was no representative from FIS in the meetings, the 103rd SLBC advised the convener bank to allocate 170 centers amongst the member banks for opening rural ATMs as per list supplied by the State Government. The allocation of ATM centers was supplied to the member banks on 19.04.2013 in the RBI monthly review meeting for taking up the matter with their controlling authority for opening of ATM counters. The DFS in their circular dated 07.08.2012 observed that the weekly visit of the designated officer to a USB established in villages having population of 5000 or more in underbanked districts and 10,000 or more in other districts is insufficient and cannot provide required services to the customers. In order to provide adequate services in such villages, they recommended the following measures for adoption:

Dept. of Financial Services, MoF, GoI in their e-mail dated 3rd August 2012 (F No. 6/ 23 /2012 – FI circulated amongst all banks) highlighted the issue of opening of one bank account per family. Some of the salient points that are to be noted for discussion in the meeting and implementation of the task are as under: The member banks have been advised to open SB A/Cs in their service areas in villages and allotted wards in urban areas for payment through EBT mode. Branches have been advised to send report on SB A/Cs opened to the LDMs.

Five districts of Tripura viz. West Tripura, Khowai, North Tripura, Dhalai and South Tripura have been identified for implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme wef 1st June, 2013.. Hence , opening of accounts for each beneficiary has to be ensured by the banks in the above five districts within the shortest possible time.

The essential features of Financial Inclusion in Urban areas have been mentioned in the previous Agenda. In Municipal areas wherever LDMs have allocated wards amongst the banks and coordinating the campaign with the active involvement of all the banks.

Coverage of Households under Swabhiman

While 100% Financial Inclusion has been achieved in Tripura (W) district, in the other four districts it is nearing completion. The extent of financial inclusion that has been achieved in Tripura (N) and Tripura (S) district is 99% and it is 98% in Dhalai. District.

As recommended by DFS, MoF, GoI a committee on micro insurance comprising SLBC convener, representative of NABARD and representatives of LICI and National Insurance Company has been formed. All the Lead District Managers have been advised to form the said committee at the district level comprising LDM, DDM, NABARD and representatives of LICI and NIC. List of nominated persons of LICI and NIC for each district has also been provided to them. The LDMs are advised to activate the committee and provide information in respect of BCs of different banks functioning in each district.

All the districts of Tripura are already having one or more Currency Chests. As many as 19 Currency Chests are operating in the State of Tripura of which 12 are run by United Bank of India, 4 by SBI and one each by TGB, CBI and UCO Bank. In the last SLBC meeting the State Govt. has agreed to provide free security to UBI Kamalpur

Kanchanpur currency chests. In Tripura 31 centers have been identified where 3 or more branches are operating but clearing facility is not available in the said centers. There are 17 centers where six or more branches are operating without any banking facility. As per RBI directives these centers need to have Clearing Facilities. A list of 15 such centers have been submitted to RBI along with Feasibility Report for permission and providing guidance for 4 DBT Districts in the first stage as per instruction of DFS.