Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor D Subbarao had launched a financial outreach programme on December 3, 2009 in Jalanga village of Bhadrak district on the sidelines of UCO Bank adopting it as a model village. But, nothing has really been changed in the village so far. The promises for schools, hospitals, good communication, a community centre, and a viable financial boost to agriculture and cottage industries are yet to be fulfilled except the three solar lamps provided by the bank. The visit of the RBI Governor was part of the central bank's decision to reach out to villages in remote areas to spread the message of financial inclusion. As per sources, Jalanga, whose 70 per cent population are tribals, has been included in the list of areas with 100 per cent financial inclusion. Ever since, the villagers of Jalanga expected better life. But, nothing has come up in the last one year except some no-frills accounts in the bank. The adoption of the village under Samagra Gramin Vikas Yojana as part of RBI's initiative to create 200 model villages in country had marked a gala function. The RBI Governor had said that the village would be an example of socio-economic empowerment within a few years. He had also inaugurated a farmers' club at the village and distributed self-help group linkage certificates, besides passbooks of no-frills accounts to the people. But, common minimum facilities are still a pipe dream in the village. After starting a branch, UCO Bank has opened 1,200 no-frills accounts in Jalanga. But nothing substantial has been done.
The Pioneer
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