Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that State Government had encouraged the expansion of banking activities of Kangra Central Cooperative Bank (KCCB) and added that working capital of Bank had increased from Rs. 3000 crore in year 2007 to Rs. 6000 crore now. He was addressing the inaugural function of 172nd branch of Kangra Central Cooperative Bank at Ukhali in district Hamirpur today.

Chief Minister said that banking activities of Kangra Central Cooperative Bank had expanded during the previous tenure of present Government from 1998 to 2003 and added that the working capital was reduced as soon as Government changed and banking activities were also affected. He said that the Government had revived these activities soon after coming to power and an effective plan had been prepared for expansion of banking activities. He said that the Government had also taken up the matter of opening additional branches with Indian Reserve Bank. He said that approval for opening 27 branches had been provided by the State Government which resulted in strengthening the existing banking facilities available in rural areas besides promoting the business of the bank.

Rasil Singh Mankotia, Chairman, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed out the activities of the Bank. He said that loans to the tune of Rs. 2500 crore were provided to the people and added that 300 new posts were filled up besides promoting 650 employees during last four and half years. He said that Core Banking System and Computerised Banking Services were available in all the branches.

Baldev Sharma and Urmil Thakur, MLAs, Pyare Lal Sharma, Chairman, Marketing Board, Rajender Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Madhusudan Sharma, S.P. and prominent persons of the area were present on the occasion.