Question : PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS IN UP

(a) the location-wise details of new branches of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) opened during each of the last three years and current year;

(b) whether the Government has any policy to accord priority to minority dominated areas in opening of new bank branches;

(c) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore; and

(d) the number of application received from the minority communities particularly of Uttar Pradesh under priority sector lending credit facilities to the minority communities during the said period?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Namo Narain Meena)

(a):- Details of new branches opened by Public Sector Banks during the last three years, State-wise is enclosed in the Annexure.

(b) to (d):- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) advised all scheduled commercial banks to take care to see that minority communities secure, in a fair and adequate measure, the benefits flowing from various Government sponsored special programmes. The instructions issued by RBI, inter-alia, envisage creating a separate cell in each bank to ensure smooth flow of credit to minority communities and also cover the role of the lead bank in identified districts.

During the year ending March 2010, 4,93,264 persons belonging to the minority communities were provided loans by Public Sector Banks in the State of Uttar Pradesh.