Union Finance Minister and Corporate Affairs of India, Nirmala Sitharaman, arrived in Udaipur on Thursday, August 22, 2024, for a two-day visit. During her visit, she focused on reviewing the performance of regional rural banks in the Western and Central regions.

Upon her arrival at Dabok Airport, Mrs. Sitharaman was welcomed by administrative and banking officials. She then proceeded to the Leela Palace Hotel, where she chaired a review meeting with the chairpersons of regional rural banks and CEOs of their sponsoring banks. 

The meeting concentrated on creating an action plan to address challenges in the banking sector. Mrs. Sitharaman stressed the importance of making banking services more widely available to help achieve India's development goals. She urged all bank officials to work together to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the public.

Senior officials, including the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, Mr. M. Nagaraju, and NABARD Chairman Shri Shaji K V, were present at the meeting. Representatives from NABARD, SIDBI, Bank of Baroda, State Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, and Bank of India also attended.

The meeting included discussions on the annual work plan and progress of the banks for the previous financial year. The chairpersons of nine regional rural banks in the Western-Central region presented their progress reports and upcoming work plans to the Union Minister.