Date:04/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/03/04/stories/2007030403640300.htm

Back Syndicate Bank's rural operations

Our Bureau

Coimbatore, March 3

Syndicate Bank is using its five RRBs (regional rural bank) to reinforce itself in the rural areas. And the bank has, according to its Chairman and Managing Director, Mr C.P. Swarnkar, undertaken the effort of cleaning up the ponds in villages for a social cause. "Last month, we asked each of the RRBs to clean 20 ponds each in a village. We have so far completed the work in 100 ponds. This has resulted in recharging the ground water sources and making good water available to the local populace." Having successfully completed the cleaning of 100 ponds in one month, the bank is planning to push the initiative in a big way. "We intend to clean up more than 1,000 ponds in 2007-08. We are not looking for Government support or aid. Our intention is to rejuvenate the water resources and make water usable in India's villages," he said.