GAIBANDHA: Karmasangsthan Bank, Gaibandha branch disbursed a total of Tk 134 million as loan at a nominal interest to 2,222 beneficiaries of five upazilas in the district in the last few years.

According to sources, since its inception in 2002, the bank has been disbursing loans, ranging from Tk 25,000 to Tk 5 lakh, to the jobless people of Gaibandha Sadar, Sundarganj, Saghata, Fulchhari and Sadullapur upazilas in the district.

The loans were disbursed in different sectors including poultry and dairy farm, fisheries, beef fattening, welding factory, nursery, furniture and small scale cottage industries and other income generating activities in both rural and urban areas of the district, sources said.

Jahangir Hossain, a beneficiary of Purbapara area of Gaibandha district

town, said he had established a poultry farm in 2009, taking Tk 5 lakh loan from the bank without any hassles.

He was able to turn the wheels of fortune alleviating his poverty as he was earning Tk 10,500, selling at least 1,500 eggs of the farm everyday, he said.

The bank realised Tk 9.33 crore classified and outstanding loans from the beneficiaries of the upazilas during the same period, said an official of the bank.

Senior Principal Officer and Manager of the branch M Jahangir Alam said they were giving more emphasis on enhancing credit flow towards the potential sectors in the district.

Transparency and accountability were also ensured at the time of loan disbursement to the jobless people of the district, he pointed out.

The Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ 15th May 2012