KSU wants MCAB to open four branches

MAWKYRWAT: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills District has demanded that the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank (MCAB) open its branches in four regions — two each in Mawsynram Block of East Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills.
In this regard, the union met the chairman of MCAB on Wednesday.
The assistant general secretary of the union, Michael Dingan, informed that the two branches under Mawsynram Block are Pongkung and Dangar villages while the other two are Umdohlun or Wahkaji and Ranikor village under Ranikor Civil Sub-Division.
“Umdohlun-Wahkaji area is a vast area covering 46 villages right from Phlangdiloin to Warsan Lyngdoh area,” Dingan said adding that there are no banks in the region till date.
“This has created a lot of problems to the people. They have to walk around 4-5 hours to reach Ranikor or travel 3-4 hours with vehicles to reach Mawkyrwat just to deposit or withdraw money,” he said.
Dingan also informed that the MCAB chairman has promised the union that he will put the proposal of setting up a branch at Umdohlun-Wahkaji as top priority.
The chairman also informed the KSU that the head office of the MCAB had already conducted a survey for setting up a branch at Ranikor and it is just a matter of getting permission from concerned authority before opening the branch.
Meanwhile, regarding the demand for setting up a branch at Dangar and Pungkung village under Mawsynram Block, the chairman promised to send a team for conducting a survey, Dingan said.
The union also urged the local legislators to look into the matter.