Over 1,000 SHG women to benefit from loan distribution in Varanasi
The loan distribution programme was held at RSETI. It was organised on the initiative of deputy commissioner self-employment Pawan Kumar Singh and regional head of Union Bank of India Varanasi Shailendra Kumar. On this occasion, Union Bank of India distributed a loan of ₹36,85,000 ( ₹3.68 crore). A demo cheque was symbolically handed over to the women of the group.
In the programme, Mamta of Vikaskhand Sevapuri and Mamta of SHG Harhua shared their success stories, highlighting the change and journey in their lives by taking a loan from the SHG. Lead Bank Union Bank of India's Varanasi region head Shailendra Kumar spoke about continuing loan distribution to the women of the group and providing necessary support from the bank.
District mission manager Shravan Kumar Singh appealed to the Bank Sakhis to connect more SHG women with livelihood opportunities. On this occasion, Vikram Singh, Rekha Kesari, beneficiaries of Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyam and Solar Rooftop schemes, along with Bank Sakhis and SHG women, were present.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Home loan rates stable in August: Public banks at 7.35%, private at 7.70%
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has left the repo rate unchanged at 5.5 per cent in its latest policy review, which means that borrowing costs are unlikely to change in the near term, but borrowers should still compare rates to secure the best deal. Here's a snapshot of home loan interest rates in August 2025, compiled by Public-sector banks -Union Bank of India, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India: Starting at 7.35 per cent and going up to 10.10 per cent or more, depending on the borrower's credit profile. -State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank: Starting at 7.45–7.50 per cent. -Punjab & Sind Bank: 7.55 per cent onwards. Some lenders offer concessional rates of 0.05-0.10 percentage points for women borrowers, those opting for linked insurance, or transferring an existing loan. (Table: Public-sector banks' home loan rates in August 2025) Name of Lender Loan Amount (Rs) Upto 30 Lakh Above 30 Lakh & Upto 75 Lakh Above 75 Lakh PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS State Bank of India 7.50-8.95 7.50-8.95 7.50-8.95 Bank of Baroda 7.45-9.25 7.45-9.25 7.45-9.50 Union Bank of India* 7.35-10.00 7.35-10.00 7.35-10.00 Punjab National Bank 7.45 onwards 7.45 onwards 7.45 onwards Bank of India 7.35-10.10 7.35-10.10 7.35-10.35 Canara Bank** 7.50-10.25 7.45-10.25 7.40-10.15 UCO Bank*** 7.40-9.50 7.40-9.50 7.40-9.50 Bank of Maharashtra 7.35-10.15 7.35-10.15 7.35-10.15 Punjab and Sind Bank 7.55-10.75 7.55-10.75 7.55-10.75 Indian Overseas Bank 7.35 onwards 7.35 onwards 7.35 onwards Indian Bank 7.40-9.40 7.40-9.40 7.40-9.40 Central Bank of India 7.35-9.40 7.35-9.40 7.35-9.40 *Extra interest rate concession of 0.05% to borrowers opting for insurance policy. **Under CRG-Prime, CRG-1 & CRG-2, additional 5 bps concession for takeover/ready to move HL proposals & for salaried employees maintaining salary a/c with the bank. ***Additional concession of 0.05% & 0.10% for women borrowers & takeover loans, respectively. Private-sector banks -ICICI Bank: 7.70 per cent onwards. -HDFC Bank: 7.90 per cent onwards. -Kotak Mahindra Bank: 7.99 per cent onwards. -South Indian Bank: 7.75 per cent onwards. -Axis Bank: 8.35 per cent onwards, going up to 11.90 per cent in some cases. -Bandhan Bank: 8.41 per cent onwards, with top rates touching 15 per cent. -CSB Bank: 9.39–11.08 per cent. Rates vary widely in this segment, with spreads reflecting borrower risk profiles and loan sizes. (Table: Private-sector banks' home loan rates in August 2025) Name of Lender Loan Amount (Rs) Upto 30 Lakh Above 30 Lakh & Upto 75 Lakh Above 75 Lakh PRIVATE SECTOR BANKS Kotak Mahindra Bank 7.99 onwards 7.99 onwards 7.99 onwards ICICI Bank 7.70 onwards 7.70 onwards 7.70 onwards Axis Bank 8.35-11.90 8.35-11.90 8.35-9.35 HSBC Bank 7.70 onwards 7.70 onwards 7.70 onwards South Indian Bank 7.75 onwards 7.75 onwards 7.75 onwards Karur Vysya Bank 7.95-10.90 7.95-10.90 7.95-10.90 Karnataka Bank 8.19-10.74 8.19-10.74 8.19-10.74 Federal Bank 8.75 onwards 8.75 onwards 8.75 onwards Tamilnad Mercantile Bank 8.15-9.50 8.15-9.50 8.15-9.50 Bandhan Bank 8.41-15.00 8.41-12.58 8.41-12.58 RBL Bank 8.20 onwards 8.20 onwards 8.20 onwards CSB Bank 9.39-11.08 9.39-11.08 9.39-11.08 HDFC Bank 7.90 onwards 7.90 onwards 7.90 onwards City Union Bank 8.25-9.50 8.50-10.00 8.75-10.50 Housing finance companies (HFCs) -Bajaj Housing Finance: 7.35 per cent onwards, the lowest among HFCs. -LIC Housing Finance, ICICI Home Finance: 7.50 per cent onwards. -PNB Housing Finance, Aditya Birla Capital, Godrej Housing Finance: 8.25–8.55 per cent. -SMFG India Home Finance: 10 per cent onwards. -Sammaan Capital (formerly Indiabulls Housing Finance): 8.75 per cent onwards. Some HFCs cater to niche segments, which can mean higher starting rates due to credit risk factors. (Table: Housing finance companies' home loan rates in August 2025) Name of Lender Loan Amount (Rs) Upto 30 Lakh Above 30 Lakh & Upto 75 Lakh Above 75 Lakh HOUSING FINANCE COMPANIES (HFCs) LIC Housing Finance 7.50 onwards 7.50 onwards 7.50 onwards Bajaj Housing Finance 7.35 onwards 7.35 onwards 7.35 onwards Tata Capital 7.75 onwards 7.75 onwards 7.75 onwards PNB Housing Finance 8.25-11.50 8.25-11.50 8.25-10.85 GIC Housing Finance 8.20 onwards 8.20 onwards 8.20 onwards SMFG India Home Finance 10.00 onwards 10.00 onwards 10.00 onwards Sammaan Capital (Formerly Indiabulls Housing Finance) 8.75 onwards 8.75 onwards 8.75 onwards Aditya Birla Capital 8.25 onwards 8.25 onwards 8.25 onwards ICICI Home Finance 7.50 onwards 7.50 onwards 7.50 onwards Godrej Housing Finance 8.55 onwards 8.55 onwards 8.55 onwards *Extra interest rate concession of 0.05% to borrowers opting for insurance policy. **Under CRG-Prime, CRG-1 & CRG-2, additional 5 bps concession for takeover/ready to move HL proposals & for salaried employees maintaining salary a/c with the bank. ***Additional concession of 0.05% & 0.10% for women borrowers & takeover loans, respectively. Rates as of 13th August 2025 Source: Tip for borrowers: Even small differences in interest rates can have a large impact on total repayment. Compare rates, check eligibility for special concessions, and consider switching if your current rate is significantly higher.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
A Guide To Minimum Balance Rules In Top Banks In India
1/9 2/9 Union Bank of India: In rural branches, the minimum balance requirement is Rs 250 with cheque book and Rs 100 without cheque book. In urban branches, it is Rs 1000 with cheque book and Rs 500 without cheque book. (File Photo) 3/9 ICICI: The minimum balance requirement in rural branches is Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 in urban branches. (File Photo) 5/9 Axis Bank: The minimum balance requirement is Rs 2,500 for rural branches and Rs 12,000 for urban branches. (File Photo) 6/9 Bank of Baroda: The minimum balance requirement is Rs 500 for rural branches and Rs 2,000 for urban branches. (File Photo) IDFC First Bank: The minimum balance requirement in both rural and urban branches is Rs 10,000/Rs 25,000. (File Photo) Bank of India: The minimum balance requirement is zero for both rural and urban/metro branches. Meanwhile, Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank had announced the removal of penalty charges for not maintaining the minimum average balance in all saving accounts. (File Photo)
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: PAU launches ‘custom hiring centre' for women, small farmers in Akalgarh
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), in partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), has inaugurated a custom hiring centre (CHC) in Akalgarh village. The initiative, launched under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture (AICRP-WIA), aims to provide affordable access to agricultural machinery and value-addition tools, particularly benefiting women and small farmers. A memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed between ICAR-CIWA, PAU, and the SHG to ensure smooth and sustainable operations. (HT Photo) The centre was inaugurated by Mridula Devi, director, ICAR-CIWA, who emphasised the institute's commitment to empowering rural women through technology, skills, and market linkages. She noted that the project, supported under the SC-Sub Plan, reflects a long-term vision of reducing drudgery, enhancing productivity, and generating income opportunities for rural communities. Formally handed over to a local self-help group (SHG) for community management, the CHC is equipped with a dal mill, weighing scale, sewing machines, water pump, and maize sheller. A memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed between ICAR-CIWA, PAU, and the SHG to ensure smooth and sustainable operations. Earlier, SHG members underwent hands-on training with Renuka Aggarwal from PAU's department of food and nutrition to operate and maintain the equipment effectively. Ritu Mittal, unit coordinator, highlighted the CHC's role in promoting skill development and encouraging sustainable resource use. Ajmer Dhatt, director of research, PAU, praised the project for bridging academic research with practical rural solutions. Similarly, Deepika Vig, coordinator of research, College of Community Science, and Harpreet Kaur, head, department of food and nutrition, stressed its potential to foster community development and self-reliance among women. The event was attended by AICRP scientists, the village sarpanch, panchayat members and local farm women. Digital Agribusiness Lab unveiled The School of Business Studies (SBS) at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has taken a major step toward innovation and rural empowerment with the launch of its Digital Agribusiness Lab. The inauguration was held in the office of vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal, who praised the initiative as a progressive move to expand the reach and impact of agribusiness in Punjab. The Agribusiness Lab, a key component of SBS, has been playing a vital role in mentoring budding agripreneurs by offering expert guidance in product development, branding, labeling, packaging, and marketing. Its physical setup houses a diverse collection of value-added agricultural products, allowing entrepreneurs to study market trends and understand consumer demand. Recognising the growing importance of digital access, SBS has transformed the lab into an online platform to reach a wider audience, especially rural entrepreneurs and farmers who cannot easily visit the facility. The Digital Agribusiness Lab will serve as a virtual hub for product displays, learning resources, mentorship opportunities, and networking, helping integrate rural talent into the broader agri-enterprise ecosystem. SBS Director Ramandeep Singh, a veteran with over three decades of experience in agribusiness development, said the shift reflects changing market dynamics and will bridge the gap between academic innovation and grassroots entrepreneurship. Leading the digitalisation effort, teaching assistant Navneet Kaur Gill—herself from a rural background—highlighted how many farmers hesitate to enter agribusiness due to lack of exposure and confidence. With growing smartphone use and social media reach in villages, she said, the platform will help farmers visualise and shape business ideas into viable enterprises. Faculty members Sandeep Kapur, Mohit Gupta, and Rakesh Rathore applauded the move, calling it a catalyst for self-employment, rural development, and sustainable growth in Punjab's agriculture sector.
