BAJURA, MARCH 13

Bajura's Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality has been declared the first local level in the country to have all households with a bank account.

"The rural municipality has a total 3,234 households, and all the households have at least one bank account," said the rural municipality's Chief Administrative Officer Krishnaraj Joshi.

The local level has a population of 22,135 people. According to rural municipality Chair Nara Bahadur Rawat, completing the one-house-one-bank campaign was possible due to the partnership with Himalayan Bank Limited Chhededaha branch.

The declaration of the model local level that it has accomplished the one-house-one-bank account drive was made at a special programme yesterday. Nepal Rastra Bank Sudurpaschim provincial office Director Shubhaschandra Ghimire and Chief District Officer Krishna Gaire were present at the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Ghimire said he was happy to see high banking awareness in the region.

Local Surjadevi Rawat praised the bank's role in making it possible for all households to have bank accounts.

"Earlier, I would have to go to the headquarters Martadi and Kailali's Dhangadi to receive banking services.

I'm happy that such services are available in my own village now," said a local businessman Lal Bahadur Rawat, adding that the bank has also saved locals from loan sharks.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 14, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.