Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh – In a big push for financial inclusion, Bank of Baroda (BOB) pulled off a lively mega camp in Amhat village, Sultanpur district, on August 23, 2025. This event was part of a nationwide drive by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance, aiming to cover every gram panchayat and urban area with banking and social security schemes. The campaign kicked off on July 1 and runs until September 30, 2025, focusing on getting everyone on board with essential services like insurance and pensions.
Hundreds of locals turned up at the camp, where BOB, as the leader for Uttar Pradesh’s State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), teamed up with other banks to make things happen. Top officials were there to show support, M. Nagaraju, the DFS Secretary, joined hands with BOB’s MD and CEO Debadatta Chand, Sultanpur’s Chief Development Officer Ankur Kaushik, SLBC Convenor Shailendra Kumar Singh, and Varanasi Zone GM Mithlesh Kumar. It was a real community affair, with villagers getting hands-on help to open accounts, update details, and sign up for government programs.
During the day, folks received claim cheques from the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), a life insurance scheme. Others got certificates for PMJJBY and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), which covers accidents, plus enrolment slips for the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) to secure retirement savings. A key highlight was the Re-KYC process for Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts, that’s the zero-balance accounts opened for the poor. People used simple QR codes to update their info right there, making it quick and painless.
BOB also honored their Business Correspondents and BC Sakhis, these are the local agents who bring banking to doorsteps in remote areas. These folks got recognition for their hard work in spreading financial awareness. Debadatta Chand spoke passionately about it – “True financial inclusion isn’t just about opening accounts, it’s about empowering people to use the system and grab those government benefits. This camp in Sultanpur shows our dedication to reaching every household, and the community’s energy here inspires us to keep going.”
This isn’t BOB’s first rodeo. They’ve held similar camps elsewhere, but the Sultanpur one stands out for its focus on Uttar Pradesh’s rural heartland. With all SLBC banks pitching in, it underlines how the banking world is uniting for the government’s goal of universal access. For locals, it helped many who were hesitant about banks but now feel more confident.
As the campaign rolls on, BOB plans more such events to hit 100% coverage. In a country where millions still lack basic banking, efforts like this in Sultanpur are steps toward a more secure future for everyone. Keep an eye out for updates as the drive wraps up next month.
