Banking at Last: CM Sai Inaugurates Indian Overseas Bank Branch in Maoist-Hit Jagargunda
Nearly 14,000 People from 12 Villages to Benefit
Raipur: In a significant step toward inclusive development in Chhattisgarh’s Maoist-affected Sukma district, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai virtually inaugurated a branch of Indian Overseas Bank in Jagargunda from his official residence today. This new banking facility is expected to benefit nearly 14,000 residents across 12 nearby villages.
Calling the occasion “historic,” the Chief Minister said that after years of suffering from Naxal violence, the region is now witnessing a new era of peace and development, thanks to the efforts of the “double engine” government. He credited the state’s strategy of combining security, development, and trust-building for the improved situation in Bastar.
Sai noted that the establishment of this bank is part of a broader plan to bring financial inclusion to remote and previously inaccessible areas. He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee of ensuring banking access in every gram panchayat. In line with this vision, 1,460 Atal Panchayat Digital Seva Kendras were launched on National Panchayat Day (April 24), covering 10 gram panchayats in each development block. These centres are already delivering banking services to villagers, with plans to cover all gram panchayats within the coming year.
The Chief Minister also mentioned the ongoing ‘Sushasan Tihar’ (Good Governance Festival), during which he personally visited digital service centres to assess their operations. He said it was heartening to see villagers actively using banking services.
Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, who joined the event, recalled his tenure as Collector of Dantewada during a time when reaching interior areas was extremely dangerous due to Maoist dominance. He shared that in 2001, the same building where the new branch has been opened once housed a Gramin Bank that faced an attempted Naxal robbery. Today, the opening of an Indian Overseas Bank branch at the same location symbolizes how far the region has come.
Choudhary also inspected the bank’s facilities, including the cash counter and branch manager’s office, and opened a bank account himself. He was joined by Deepika Sori, a member of the Chhattisgarh State Women Commission, who also opened an account. An ATM has been installed at the site to further support villagers.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao also attended the programme virtually. On the ground in Jagargunda were Women Commission member Deepika Sori, Sukma Collector Devesh Kumar Dhruv, District Panchayat CEO Namrata Jain, and Indian Overseas Bank Regional Manager Gaurishankar Nayak.
