Dehradun, Mar 11 (ANI): For providing loans and other financial facilities to needy women, a group of women here in Uttarakhand have opened a bank named the Mahila Bachat (Women's Saving) Bank.

A group of women started the bank and put their savings here. They can even apply for loans at the bank.

The bank has made women here self-reliant. Some have even started their own ventures after taking loans.

"The aim of opening this bank was to provide an opportunity to those women who wanted to earn on their own. Usually, women undergo various forms of training to start their own venture, but due to a lack of funds, were unable to do so. So, we thought why not start our own bank? The bank holds meetings every month and deposits money. The money is then given to needy women," said Kiran Negi, the chairman of the bank.

Women having accounts in the bank said they were happy to save their hard-earned money.

"We are very happy with the bank. We get three times now than before," said Asha Pandey, an account holder.

The bank has already provided loans to 65 women, and at present has a fund of around Rs. 10 lakh. (ANI)