Ranchi, Nov 4: The Jharkhand government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union Bank of India to provide special banking facilities and financial security benefits to around 1.75 lakh state government employees.
The agreement was signed between the state Finance Department and Union Bank of India at Project Bhawan in Ranchi in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The special salary package will offer employees a range of benefits, including accidental death insurance, disability cover, emergency healthcare facilities and loans at concessional interest rates.
Speaking on the occasion, Soren urged banks to expand their role beyond serving government employees and actively contribute to the financial empowerment of poor, deprived and tribal communities. He stressed the need to extend banking services to rural areas and ensure that vulnerable sections of society have better access to financial assistance.
The Chief Minister said Jharkhand, being a tribal-dominated state, required special attention to the social and economic circumstances of its tribal population. He called for collective efforts to strengthen the financial security of tribal families and improve their living conditions.
Highlighting the historical contribution of Jharkhand’s tribal communities, Soren referred to the role of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and other freedom fighters in the struggle against British rule. He said focused efforts were needed to promote the economic empowerment of tribal and rural communities.
Soren also urged banks to simplify loan disbursal procedures to help young people, small entrepreneurs and residents of rural areas access credit and establish self-employment ventures. He said the state government was implementing several schemes to support economically weaker sections and encourage young people to become self-reliant.
Emphasising the importance of public trust in the banking system, the Chief Minister said banks should make their services more accessible to ordinary citizens. Strengthening the financial security and economic well-being of people across the state, he added, remained a priority for the government.
Describing the agreement as a positive initiative for state employees, Soren expressed gratitude to Union Bank of India and called for expanding the partnership in the future. He also urged the bank to widen its services and support for the general public.
Under the MoU, state government employees maintaining salary accounts with Union Bank of India will be eligible for several benefits. These include accidental death insurance, financial assistance in cases of total or partial disability, emergency medical support, including air ambulance services, and personal, housing and vehicle loans at concessional rates. Employees will also receive free ATM cards and access to other digital banking facilities.
State Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Secretary Prashant Kumar, Union Bank of India Zonal Head Guna Chandra Gami, Ecosystem Hub Head Ranjit, senior bank officials and representatives of various state government departments attended the programme.
