UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today launched the campaign 'Swabhimaan' in New Delhi that aims to bring banking services to vast unbanked rural areas in the country. Speaking at the function, Ms Gandhi expressed the hope that this scheme will empower the common people. She called upon the bankers to be sympathetic towards marginalised and weaker sections of the society.Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in his address said, Swabhiman is aimed at bringing under privileged population to banking fold. The government has set a target of covering 73,000 new habitations, with population of 2,000 and above under the banking services by March 2012.Besides, banks will have to open five crore new accounts during the period.
News On AIR | February 10, 2011 8:11 PM
Sonia launches Swabhimaan campaign to bring banking services to vast rural areas