Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, led a credit outreach event in Darbhanga, Bihar, on Friday, where loans totaling Rs 1,388 crore were distributed to 49,137 beneficiaries by various banks, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Finance.

The event also saw the participation of Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, and Samrat Choudhary, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister.

M Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and MD of the Central Bank of India, emphasized the efforts made by banks to promote financial inclusion in the district.

Sitharaman, along with other officials, visited about 25 stalls featuring local products and handicrafts created by entrepreneurs supported by banks and NABARD. Additionally, she distributed five copies of the Constitution in Maithili and Sanskrit to prominent citizens, flagged off an ambulance, and handed out tricycles to disabled individuals as part of CSR initiatives.

NABARD also announced the approval of over Rs 74 crore for various rural road projects. Banks and SIDBI extended their support through CSR activities to enhance school infrastructure, particularly in girls' schools.

Chirag Paswan thanked Sitharaman for her visit to Darbhanga, and Samrat Choudhary praised the efforts of both the Prime Minister and Sitharaman in fostering economic growth in the region.

During the event, Sitharaman inaugurated five State Bank of India branches and 25 BC Maxx Centres of the Central Bank of India. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including MPs Gopal Jee Thakur, Dr. Dharmshila Gupta, Sanjay Kumar Jha, and Dr. Ashok Kumar Yadav; NABARD Chairman K. V. Shaiji; Central Bank of India MD M. V. Rao; SIDBI CMD Manoj Mittal; DFS Additional Secretary M. P. Tangirala; and SBI Deputy Managing Director Surinder Rana.

Earlier that day, Sitharaman chaired a review meeting of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) from the Eastern Belt in Patna.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard