SyndicateBank plans to partner with the University of Agricultural Sciences-Dharwad to design and develop a rural model to help farmers store and process their farm produce .
According to Mr Basant Seth, Chairman and Managing Director of SyndicateBank, “Once the university comes out with a workable model, we will try to implement it by partnering with other universities in the country.”
“UAS-Dharwad has some novel projects and the bank will take its assistance in implementing it to strengthen the rural economy. At present, there is huge potential for banks like us in the rural areas,” he added.
Rural development officers
The bank, to strengthen its rural presence, has also initiated the process to recruit 750 rural development officers and along with it, posts of agricultural assistants are also expected to be filled.
Mr Seth speaking after inaugurating the two-day 6th national conference of the All-India SyndicateBank Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Caste Employees' Welfare Association, said steps were being initiated to make the functioning of the bank more transparent.
He also added that there were rules and systems in place and that the employees should be aware of them.
Inaugurating the conference, the Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, Mr Jagadish Shettar, underlined the importance of providing assistance to the poor and the needy.
About 1,200 delegates from across the country are participating in the conference.
The General Secretary of the association, Mr R.S. Barva, appealed to Mr Seth to look into those cases where association members are being harassed. The national chairman of the association, Mr K. Y. Nagaiah, presided over the function.
Mr D.S. Veeraiah, MLC; Mr G.L. Nagendrappa, chairman of the reception committee of the conference, Mr Sudhir Kini, Deputy General Manager of the bank, and others, were present on the occasion.