Port Blair, Sept. 10: The Andaman & Nicobar State Cooperative Bank has organised a LOAN MELA for SHGs in collaboration with an NGO called SURABI at Ferrargunj on Saturday, the 8th September, 2018 at 4.00 PM.

Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Vice Chairman of the Bank was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The programme was also attended by Fr Charles, Director – SURABI, Shri. Anjan Sengupta, Managing Director (i/c), Shri. Rajan Kunju, DGM (F&A), Bank officials, large gathering of SHG members affiliated to SURABI from various villages of South Andaman.

At the Outset, Shri. Anjan Sengupta, Managing Director (i/c) welcomed the Chief Guest briefed about the various schemes of the bank.

The Chief Guest Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Vice Chairman along with Fr Charles distributed Loans to over 24 SHG groups amounting to a total of Rs. 24.00 lakhs.

Smt. Elizabeth Mary, Women Development Officer (WDO) also spoke on the occasion and explained regarding the various schemes and promotions undertaken by the Cooperative Bank for the development of SHGs.

Fr Charles, Director – SURABI in his address appreciated the efforts of the Management & staffs of A & N State Coop. Bank in extending the loans to the SHGs affiliated to SURABI. He appreciated the Board of Management for their excellence in work in getting the Annual performance Award. He further requested the Chief Guest for organisng a 1 day programme on Book-Keeping and a ½ day programme at SURABI for SHG Leadership.

The Chief Guest Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Vice Chairman in his address informed the gathering that A & N State Cooperative Bank Ltd. has been instrumental in extending finance to the SHGs. The Bank has a numerous schemes for the skill development of SHGs by way of financing Tailoring machines, personal loans for SHGs, etc. The Chief Guest accepted the requisition of Fr. Charles and asked the Director, SURABI to fix up date for organisng a 1 day programme on Book-Keeping and a ½ day programme at SURABI for the SHGs. He further informed that with the coming up of International Airport Terminal and Under Sea Optical Fiber cable, there is a tremendous scope for the tourism sector which may be explored by the SHGs for upcoming days especially by women SHGs. He also stressed upon the Senior SHG group members to work for bringing the awareness on National Integration. He urged the people present on the occasion to get themselves trained for Disaster Management programmes for quick implementation of techniques at the village level for the old age and women peoples at the time of disasters rather waiting for the help to come from far off places like Port Blair, Ferrargunj etc. 

The programme ended with vote of thanks proposed by Fr Charles, Director - SURABI.