Ahmedabad, 27 September 2014

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today inaugurated Ghatkopar branch of Rajkot Nagrik Sahkari Bank in Mumbai. Rajkot headquartered Rajkot Nagrik bank had first opened Kalbadevi branch in Mumbai which was inaugurated by then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking at the inaugural function, bank’s Jyotindrabhai Mehta said that this is the bank not opened by Tata or Birla, it was opened by some government servant and other common people. He proudly said that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has his account in this bank. He said Late Shri Arvindbhai Maniar once said that this would be a big bank of small persons. This has been a motto of the bank. He said this bank runs schools, colleges, distributes note books, supply even water when there’s shortage. He said the bank has scheduled bank status. The bank started with 59 members. It has now 2,64,000 members, he added.

Speaking about cooperative sector, he gave example of Amul and said everyday 27 lakh women wakes up at 5.00 am from 17,000 villages and collect milk worth Rs. 15 crore and attributed this success to people of Gujarat.

He said the bank adopts latest technology. He said upcoming banking will make it possible to transfer money through mobile. “Suppose you go to tea shop and wanting to pay Rs. 10, you will be able to transfer Rs. 10 from your mobile phone to tea shop owner’s mobile phone.”

Mehta admired Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Jan Dhan Yojana for financial inclusion of those who don’t have bank accounts. He said Rajkot Nagrik bank gave target of additional 60,000 accounts to its staff on completion of bank’s 60 years. He said the bank gives accident insurance cover to all its members.

He said Rajkot Nagrik Sahkari bank has a tie up with HDFC bank for unlimited ATM usage without any charge. One who has taken loan upto Rs. 50,000, if pays installment regularly, is given 100% reimbursement of interest at the end of the year. A small person should feel that this is his bank.

He said the bank has given housing loan of Rs. 630 crore to 35,000 people so that they can build their housing unit.

The second mantra of this bank was given by late Lakshmanrao Inamdar, and it was ‘Vina sanskar, nahi sahkar’. He said when we seat in board, we are aware that we are not owner of this bank but trustees.

Speaking on this occasion BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said that Prime Minister could have received inspiration of Jan Dhan Yojana from Rajkot only. He said Rajkot Nagrik bank opened its first branch in Mumbai 12 years ago in Kalbadevi, but next three-four branches should be opened in Mumbai in next one year only. He said this bank has Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s samskar in its foundation.