Uttar Pradesh has chalked out its roadmap for financial inclusion and its villages having a population of 2000 and above will soon be receiving banking facilities.

The services would be rendered through sources like outlets, mobile vans, smart cards and also through business correspondents.

"Only 4-5 districts remain to be brought entirely under the first phase. The target will be achieved soon," Bank of Baroda (BoB) General Manager S C Ahuja said.

BoB is acting as the convenor of the State Level Bankers' Committee.

Banks have already received relaxation from RBI regarding setting up of branches in tierIII and IV cities for which they would not be required to take RBI approval.

The branch network in UP currently figures to 12,000 inclusive of regional rural banks, public as well as private sector banks.

"Our focus is on increasing the rural penetration of banking services and almost all the new branches and initiatives are being planned in the tier III and IV towns," Punjab National Bank (PNB) Deputy General Manager V P Jain said.

PNB is opening e-kiosks in rural areas to provide basic banking services.