Steps initiated for expanding fintech-based doorstep banking for Rajasthan villagers

The Rajasthan government has initiated steps for expanding fintech-based doorstep banking for the rural population through cooperative institutions. A campaign titled ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’ (prosperity through cooperatives) has made new facilities available to the villagers for financial transactions and disbursal of loans.

Principal Cooperative Secretary Samit Sharma reviewed the “to-do list” for officials of the Rajasthan State Cooperative Bank for the campaign here on Wednesday and asked them to designate all active primary dairy cooperative societies as banking correspondents and provide them with micro automated teller machines (ATMs).

In addition to the dairy societies, the primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) have also been associated with the campaign. Mr. Sharma said the micro ATMs would be provided to 5,000 cooperative societies by September 30, 2026, and all the 12,000 active primary milk producer cooperative societies by March 31, 2027.

The micro ATMs, which are portable and handheld devices used by banking agents, will provide the facilities of checking account balance, conducting financial transactions, disbursing loan amounts and depositing loan repayments to the villagers. The NABARD has provided financial assistance for procurement of micro ATMs.

Mr. Sharma said the cooperative banks were also developing a system on their financial inclusion group portal which would enable the administrators of cooperative institutions to visit the villagers’ residences or workplaces to open accounts and collect deposits. “This initiative will ensure that villagers have access to banking facilities right in their own neighbourhoods,” he said.

With a gradual increase in the deposits held by cooperative banks, their capacity to disburse loans will be enhanced. Mr. Sharma said the cooperative societies would also earn additional income in the form of commissions for collecting deposits from villagers.

Mr. Sharma said the initiative would give fresh momentum to financial inclusion in the rural areas and play a pivotal role in developing cooperative institutions into multi-purpose service centres. “This will not only strengthen the cooperative movement but also provide a new foundation for the rural economy,” he said, while pointing out that PACS had already been established in 9,500 of the 11,070 village panchayats in the State.