Petty traders too using net banking: Nirmala Sitharaman

Guntur: Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman said internet and power facility have been provided to villages during the past nine years and as a result petty traders in the rural areas are using internet banking in our country.

She addressed Vignan’s 11th Convocation held at the university premises at Vadlamudi in Guntur district on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, she said, “We have achieved 68% technical development in the banking sector. The Central government extended financial assistance to Jan Dhan accounts of poor women whereas in America, the government issued cheques to the people during Covid-19 through the post offices...”

She said, “At present there are a lot of opportunities for talented youth in IT, minerals, and drone technology fields. Eleven major startups from abroad are ready to invest in India. Demand is likely to increase for electric vehicles in the days to come.

India is proud of ISRO. The Centre is working with the aim of setting up a space station on the Moon by 2035. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working hard for the development of the country. Youth going abroad for higher education should come back after completion of their education. We have to develop 10 times more in order to make India a developed country by 2035.”

Later, Nirmala Sitharaman and AP Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy conferred honorary doctorates on Ananth Technologies founder Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, Vimta Labs Ltd executive chairman Dr SP Vasireddy, Indian chess player Koneru Humpy. Gold medals to 51 students and degrees to 1820 students were presented.

Vignan’s Group of Education institutions chairman Dr Lavu Rathaiah, its vice-chairman Dr Lavu Sri Krishnadevarayulu, vice-chancellor Prof P Naga Bhushan participated.

Photo caption: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressing Vignan’s Convocation-2023 at Vadlamudi in Guntur district on Monday