India, May 19 -- The Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has opened a branch and an ATM counter in Jagargunda, a remote part of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, that has long been affected by the Maoist movement.

The branch was inaugurated by chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai virtually on Sunday and started functioning on Monday.

Sukma district collector Devesh Kumar Dhruv said that the aim is to help the people in the jungle. "The tribals residing deep in the jungle will surely benefit from the bank... The branch will play a key role in the direct transfer of welfare scheme benefits like the Tendupatta Bonus and PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, ensuring that financial inclusion reaches the grassroots," said the collector.

District officials said that nearly ...