In a significant meeting at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, engaged in a high-level discussion with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor, Sanjay Malhotra. The formal meeting focused on the state’s economic development, the expansion of banking services, and digital financial inclusion, with a particular emphasis on reaching rural and mountainous communities.
Chief Minister Dhami extended a warm welcome to Governor Malhotra, underscoring the importance of the meeting for the state’s economic future. He highlighted the Uttarakhand government’s commitment to achieving self-reliance and becoming a developed state by prioritising fiscal discipline, transparency, and digitisation. Mr. Dhami explained that the government is actively working to ensure that the benefits of its schemes are delivered directly to the public through a robust online framework.
In his discussions with the Governor, the Chief Minister made a specific appeal for the RBI’s cooperation in expanding banking facilities in the state’s most remote and rural areas. He stressed the need for a wider network of banking services to facilitate digital payments and the direct transfer of government benefits, a move that would significantly improve the lives of citizens in underserved regions. Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Digital India” campaign, he proudly noted the state’s commendable progress in digital transactions, Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), and the availability of online government services.
Governor Malhotra commended the Uttarakhand government’s efforts towards financial discipline, transparency, and good governance. He assured the Chief Minister that the RBI is fully committed to supporting the state’s financial growth and expanding its banking infrastructure. Mr. Malhotra confirmed that the central bank would consider implementing programmes aimed at promoting banking and financial literacy in remote regions and would also explore ways to provide easier financial assistance to the local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector. The meeting concluded with the RBI Governor assuring the state government of its full cooperation in all these critical areas.
The discussions between the Chief Minister and the RBI Governor highlight a concerted effort to integrate Uttarakhand’s unique geographical and economic landscape into the country’s broader digital and financial ecosystem. By focusing on rural banking access and financial literacy, the state aims to empower its citizens and foster a more inclusive and prosperous economy.
