The government today said there is no plan to list public sector general insurance companies on the stock exchanges.
"No," said Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on whether the government has any plans to list the shares of public sector general insurance companies.
At present, there are four state-owned non-life entities -- New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance, United India Insurance and National Insurance -- in the country.
Replying to another question, Meena said the current policy of the government on banking sector consolidation leaves the initiative for consolidation to the management of respective lenders.
"While examining any merger proposal, the government keeps in view the interest of the shareholders and employees of the merging banks," he said.
With respect to another question in the House, Meena said State Bank of India (SBI) has reported that select ATMs in various centres are enabled for visually challenged people. The bank has further reported that a separate 'Drishti' card has been issued to its visually challenged customers.
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Braille stickers have been affixed at various slots on these ATMs and audio support has been enabled, he said, adding that necessary instructions have been issued by SBI to operating functionaries to provide guidance and orientation for users.
On funds disbursement by banks to the agricultural sector, Meena said banks provided agriculture credit to the tune of Rs 1,91,016 crore in the first five months of the current fiscal, as against the target of Rs 4,75,000 crore for the whole year.
The percentage of non-performing farm loans stood at 3.5% of total agriculture lending during 2010-11, he said.