Shillong, May 10: Punjab National Bank, pioneer in the field of Rural Development has extended its wings in Meghalaya State by laying foundation stone for construction of Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) at East Khasi Hills District. The RSETIs are established as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India where in the land is provided by the State Governments. The Bank has taken this responsibility for accelerating the pace of rural development and creating rural entrepreneurs in the far flung areas of the Meghalaya State in the North Eastern Region.
The foundation stone was laid down by Smt. Roshan Warjri, Hon’ble Minister Incharge Home, Government of Meghalaya and Smt. Usha Ananthasubramanian, Managing Director & CEO, Punjab National Bank was also present.
Speaking on the occasion, the Managing Director and CEO of the Bank told that the establishment of RSETIs in North Eastern Region will pave the way for speeding up the skill development and other rural development activities under the aegis of PNB Centenary Rural Development Trust (PNBCRDT) established by the Bank in the year 1993. She further reported that 54 RSETIs sponsored by the Bank in 12 states have, so far, trained 1.6 lakh candidates out of which 1.11 lakh are women candidates; out of the total candidates trained, 58 per cent candidates have been settled.
The Bank also provides a Credit Linkage for promoting self employment under Mudra Loan Scheme. The RSETIs are playing a pivotal role by doing a yeoman service of orienting, modificating and counselling the rural youth for undertaking self employment ventures after taking entrepreneurship development.
She also announced that at the end of the training under Mahila Kaushal Vikas Yojana, 1000 women will get free tool kit costing Rs. 3000/- per trainee. She also informed that PNB will adopt 100 girl students of the area every year under PNB Ladli Scheme for providing financial assistance of Rs. 3500/- p.a. till completion of their 12th Class. Later, the girl students will also be supported by the education loan for higher studies in professional Institutes. In a school function, she also donated the equipments of physical and educational support equipments and study material to the differently abled children under the CSR activities of the Bank.
Smt. Roshan Warjri, Hon’ble Minister Incharge Home, Government of Meghalaya expressed a great satisfaction over the initiative taken by the Punjab National Bank and appreciated the Bank for its contribution made in rural development in particular in different parts of the country. She told that the skill development by the RSETI will help the rural youth in promoting self employment in the area.
