Centre notifies amalgamation of 26 Regional Rural Banks
New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) The Finance Ministry's Department of Financial Services has notified the amalgamation of 26 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) on the principles of 'One State One RRB' as part of the fourth phase of the continuing exercise to improve efficiency, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Finance had rolled out an amalgamation plan in November 2024 for consultation with stakeholders. After consultation with stakeholders, the amalgamation of 26 RRBs in 10 states and one UT has been carried out with the primary focus on the improvement in scale efficiency and cost rationalisation, the statement said.
At present, 43 RRBs are functioning in 26 states and 2 UTs. Post amalgamation, there will be 28 RRBs in 26 states and 2 UTs with more than 22,000 branches covering 700 districts. Their predominant area of operation is in rural areas, with approximately 92 per cent of branches in rural and semi-urban areas, the statement said.
This is the fourth phase of amalgamation. In the previous three phases which include Phase-I (FY 2006 to FY 2010), the number of RRBs were reduced from 196 to 82, in Phase-2 (FY 2013 to FY 2015) from 82 to 56, and in Phase-3 (FY 2019 to FY 2021) from 56 to 43, the official statement said.
The Finance Ministry has kicked off a 'One State One RRB' drive in 11 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Rajasthan, by amalgamating various RRBs into one. The scheme will come into effect from May 1.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 23A of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976, the Central government hereby provides for the amalgamation of the said Regional Rural Banks into a single Regional Rural Bank, which shall come into effect on and from the 1st day of May, 2025 with such constitution, property, powers, rights, interests, authorities and privileges; and with such liabilities, duties and obligation," a notification by the Finance Ministry said.
Regional Rural Banks in India play a crucial role in promoting rural economic development by providing financial services, particularly credit and other facilities, to small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs in underserved rural areas.
--IANS
sps/vd
Over 25,000 govt posts approved in first Bihar Cabinet meet post-budget session
Patna, April 8 (IANS) In its first cabinet meeting after the Budget Session of the Bihar Legislature, the Nitish Kumar-led government on Tuesday approved 27 major proposals including the creation of over 25,000 posts in various departments, signaling a focus on employment generation ahead of the Assembly elections to be held later this year.
The meeting, held at the Cabinet Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saw the participation of a majority of state ministers.
Among the significant decisions was an amendment to the 2006 rules governing the salary and allowances of ministers -- a move seen as politically crucial in an election year.
In a major recruitment drive, the cabinet approved the creation of 2,590 posts in the Agriculture Department; 3,306 posts for Urdu translators; 35 Data Entry Operator posts in the Staff Selection Commission; 36 positions in AYUSH hospitals; 48 new posts in the Liquor Prohibition Department; and over 20,000 additional positions in the Health Department.
Within the Health Department, the sanctioned posts include government doctors and staff nurses for medical colleges, Sadar Hospitals, Community Health Centres, and Primary Health Centres.
To push digital governance, the cabinet approved Rs 38 crore for setting up video conferencing facilities across all revenue courts in the state.
Several new administrative rules were also cleared, including the Bihar Education Administration Relation Rules, 2025; the Bihar Drug Laboratory Technical Shortage Contract Rules, 2025; and the Bihar Dental Education Service Rules, 2025.
Other key decisions include land approval for Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, increasing the Bihar Contingency Fund to Rs 10,000 crore, and extending the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy, 2016, until 2025.
Additionally, two officers -- Baidyanath Yadav and Pankaj Kumar -- were appointed as consultants in their respective departments, while Dr Ramraj Raman was dismissed from service.
These approvals underscore the government’s emphasis on strengthening public services and infrastructure while laying the groundwork for an electorally significant year.
--IANS
ajk/skp
Rajasthan BJP suspends senior leader Ahuja for sprinkling Ganga jal after Dalit LoP’s visit to Ram temple
Jaipur, April 8 (IANS) BJP's senior leader Gyan Dev Ahuja has been suspended from the primary membership of the party after sprinkling Ganga jal following the visit of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Tika Ram Jully, to a Ram Mandir.
A show cause notice has also been issued, and the BJP has demanded a response from Ahuja within three days.
The suspension of Ahuja from the BJP and the show cause notice come days after he sprinkled Ganga jal at a temple in Alwar to 'purify' the premises after Congress leader Tikaram Jully, a Dalit, attended the temple's consecration ceremony.
Determined not to let Ahuja's 'purification' stunt harm its prospects in eastern Rajasthan, where Dalit voters play a key role, the Rajasthan BJP leadership has sent a notice to Ahuja.
The notice, issued by BJP MP and senior Rajasthan leader Damodar Agarwal, has sought an explanation from Ahuja within three days.
The notice warns that if the former MLA does not send his response to state party chief Madan Rathore within three days, he will face disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, Congress workers across the state held protests against Ahuja on Tuesday.
In a symbolic act of dissent, late on Monday night, activists of an organisation smeared the nameplate outside Ahuja’s residence in Mansarovar, Jaipur, with soot.
LoP Jully visited the Ramlala temple in Alwar’s Shalimar area on April 6.
Following this, Ahuja made the following statement: “Tika Ram Jully is anti-Hindu. He visited the Karni Mata temple and also the Shri Ram temple. After he leaves, I will go to those places and wherever his unholy feet fell, wherever his hands touched the idols, I will sprinkle Ganga jal and offer my prayers to Lord Shri Ram.”
The very next day, on April 7, former Ramgarh MLA Ahuja visited the Ram temple and sprinkled Ganga jal.
Ahuja defended his actions, saying: “During the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ramlala temple on Ramnavami, Congress leaders were invited, which I believe led to the temple being defiled. I have now purified it by sprinkling Ganga jal.”
The show cause notice issued to Ahuja on Tuesday by Damodar Agarwal condemned the BJP leader’s actions, stating that after Jully’s visit, Ahuja’s act of sprinkling Ganga jal at the Ram temple had tarnished the party’s image and was a clear instance of gross indiscipline.
In the notice, Damodar Agarwal also reminded Ahuja of the historical significance of the Ram Mandir’s foundation stone laying ceremony.
He emphasised that the first stone of the temple was laid by Dalit leader Kameshwar Chaupal, underscoring the inclusiveness of the temple's construction.
--IANS
arc/rad