The regional rural banks (RRBs) have sought from the government that they should be given some subventions in the process of setting up new branches in the unbanked areas of the country. It has been mandated on them to open 2000 more branches by 2012.

The RRBs have now sought that they should be allowed to set some of these branches as satellite, extension counters or even mobile van branches.

Also they have urged that certain subvention should be offered to them for setting up branches in hilly and terrotist areas, said Mr Dilip Kumar Mukherjee, Secretary General, All-India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association.

"RRBs have so far sent around 1,500 proposals to the Reserve Bank of India for opening new branches. They have already opened more than 900 branches in the unbanked areas. Around 300 licences are with the RRBs for opening new branches with the recruitment of new staff and about 300 licences are in the pipeline," Mr Mukherjee said.

As far as the satellite branches are concerned, "Each of such (satellite or extension counters) new branch can have minimum two own personnel like a field officer, field assistant, agricultural assistant or office attendant under the control and guidance of the branch manager or nodal officer," he said.