Canara Bank has sanctioned Rs 134.49 crore to 23,578 beneficiaries under the ‘inclusive growth’ programme in eight southern districts of Tamil Nadu, according to a press release from the bank.

Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram disbursed token sanctions to a few of the beneficiaries at a function organised by the Bank’s Madurai Circle office on Saturday.

The Minister praised the bank for disbursing educational loans on a campaign mode. He also opened 30 farmer clubs and five rural clinics under the auspices of Canara Bank.

R. K. Dubey, Chairman & Managing Director, Canara Bank, said in his welcome address that its total business has crossed Rs 6.76 lakh crore. The education loan outstanding was one of the highest among public sector banks at Rs 4,514 crore.

The loans disbursed at the event comprise eEducational loans to 14,020 students; kissan credit cards to 1,001 farmers; loans to 1,001 street vendors; weavers’ credit card to 251 handloom weavers; autorickshaw loans to 201 beneficiaries including 27 women under Canara Pragathi scheme; micro and small enterprises loans to 101 entrepreneurs under Canara Unnathi scheme; and 7003 small loans under other priority loan scheme.