Kohima, Nov 14 (NationPress) The Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, currently on a three-day visit to Nagaland, virtually launched nine new bank branches across four Northeastern states, including Assam, on Friday during the Credit Outreach Programme held in Kiphire district.

According to officials, out of these nine branches, three are located in both Assam and Nagaland, two in Manipur, and one in Arunachal Pradesh.

Among the nine branches, eight belong to the State Bank of India (SBI), while one is managed by the Nagaland Rural Bank.

During the Credit Outreach Programme in Kiphire district, the Finance Minister distributed sanction letters to beneficiaries of various Central Government schemes and facilitated the disbursement of loans totaling Rs 28.02 crore to 350 accounts.

The sanction letters cover schemes including MUDRA, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), retail loans, MSMEs, SHGs, and agricultural loans.

Additionally, Sitharaman launched vehicles sanctioned under the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI), alongside a mobile ATM van from the Nagaland Rural Bank, as part of SBI's Corporate Social Responsibility efforts in Kiphire district.

The visiting minister was joined by Temjen Imna Along, the Minister for Tourism and Higher Education in Nagaland. She also visited the stalls of the Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM), which were set up by various Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Kiphire district.

During her visit, she engaged with SHG members, learned about their products and livelihood endeavors, and praised their contributions towards enhancing rural entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.

Sitharaman also inaugurated the newly constructed Industrial Training Institute (ITI) campus in Kiphire, interacting with students and faculty. She presented a Rs 9 lakh cheque to the ITI as part of SBI's CSR initiative, aimed at fostering skill development and reinforcing training infrastructure.

The Union Minister took part in the BJP’s Aatmnirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan in Kiphire.

Earlier, she visited the Anganwadi Centre 'A' in Kiphire, where she briefly interacted with local Anganwadi workers, helpers, and children.

She also distributed a cheque provided by SBI and assessed the implementation of Central schemes, ongoing development projects, and welfare initiatives in the Aspirational Kiphire District.

The Director of the Social Welfare Department in Nagaland, Tosheli Zhimomi, moderated the program and underscored the significance of Anganwadi Centres in the district.

Advisor S. Kiusumew Yimchunger, who oversees Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guards & Civil Defence, along with several dignitaries, attended the event.

Later, Sitharaman participated in the Pungro-Kiphire Mandal Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Campaign Vidhansabha Sammelan hosted by the BJP in Nagaland.

A splendid cultural program was organized in honor of the Finance Minister at the 14th Nagaland Armed Police Battalion complex in Kiphire.

On Saturday, November 15, Sitharaman will inaugurate the AI Centre of Excellence for Skilling at the Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre (NTTC), Dimapur, and review the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Project at Niathu Resort.