(a) Whetherthe Government is contemplating to open the branches of banks in minority
dominated districts of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the minority dominated districts have been identified for the purpose; and
(d) if so,, the details thereof, State-wise, district-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE ( SHRIPAWAN KUMAR BANSAL )
(a)to(d): Yes, Sir. As per the decision taken in the meeting of the Union Finance Minister witii
the Chief Executives of Public Sector Banks (PSBs)/Financial Institutions on 19.4.2007, all PSBs
were advised to open more branches in the identified minority concentration districts. Banks were
also asked to finalize their proposals for new branches and submit to the RBI. Under the extant
Branch Authorisation Policy, banks are encouraged t3 open branches in rural and under-banked
districts, which will cover many of the minorhy concentrated districts. In its circular dated
16.7.2007, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lias issued a consolidated list of 121 minority
concentration districts, having atleast 25% of minority population, to scheduled commercial
banks specially for monitoring credit flow to the minorities,A list of 121 Minority Concentration
Districts circulated by the RBI to all thescheduled commercial banks to ensure that minority
communities receive an equitable portion of credit within the overall target of the Priority
Sector under the Prime Minister`s New 15-Poini Programme for the Welfare of Minorities, is annexed.