BDFCL in Dorokha
23 May 2010
Bhutan Development Finance Corporation Limited (BDFCL), in a drive to meet its mandate of reaching the rural clients, is opening a branch office in Dorokha in Samtse.
The proposal to set up a branch office was approved by the BDFCL board, having done the feasibility study. The Dorokha branch will start only from June.
According to the spokesperson of the BDFC headquarters, the wait is chiefly because Dorokha does not have electricity as yet. Solar electric lining is expected to be completed in a month’s time.
Also, if the approval in principle becomes final, three more branch offices in Lhamoizingkha in Dagana, Jomotsangkha in Samdrup Jongkhar and Gelephu will be opened. Feasibility study for Gelephu branch, however, is in waiting.
“By setting up mini branches with basic banking facilities in the dungkhags, we expect to be able to take our service to the doorstep of rural homes, making it a lot easier for them to avail credit facilities,” said General Manager of Credit, Karma Choden.
Dorokha Gup, Chandra Prasad Phuyel, said people have to travel to Samtse for all financial reasons. Also, carrying government money from Samtse to Dorokha is not safe. “Coming of BDFCL branch will make things easy,” he said.
Much on the same vein, Jomotshangkha Dungpa said there have been an acute need of a bank and the coming of BDFCL branch to Jomotshangkha, which is 190 km from Samdrup jongkhar, is welcome.
“People from places like Lauri have to make a four-day journey to Samdrup Jongkhar for any financial matter. Also, travel through India is unpredictable with frequent strikes and militant attacks. BDFCL branch here would make things lot easier.”
He added that the clients, especially farmers, would benefit the most with a 10 percent nominal interest on loan.
Karma Choden said that, although opening branch offices in all the dungkhags is not profitable, BDFCL will study feasibility in all dungkhags and set up as many branch offices as possible in accordance with the mandate of quality service delivery to the rural areas.
By Jigme Wangchuk
