Kohima, August 19: UCO Bank’s Kohima branch formally handed over a set of scooties to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Kohima, on August 19 as part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative for FY 2026–27. The presentation took place at the DC’s Office Chamber in the presence of Deputy Commissioner B. Henok Buchem, NCS; Resources Head, UCO Jorhat Headquarter, Acharya Sonowal; and officials from the district administration and the bank.
Bank cites CSR pillars and statutory allocation
Timothy, Branch Head of UCO Bank, Kohima, highlighted that the institution, headquartered in Kolkata, operates across several states and maintains nine branches in Nagaland, including two in Kohima. He reiterated that the bank’s CSR activities are guided by pillars such as community upliftment, financial inclusion, environmental sustainability and rural development. Timothy noted that 2% of the average net profit of the last three years is allocated for CSR work, aligning with the bank’s stated statutory commitment.
The bank’s donation of scooties was described by the Deputy Commissioner as a practical contribution of movable assets that can directly assist field duties and expedite public service delivery. Buchem thanked the UCO Bank team for responding to the office’s requirement and said the vehicles would facilitate administrative and outreach functions.
“This is a first-of-its-kind contribution to the office in terms of providing movable assets of direct utility,” said Deputy Commissioner B. Henok Buchem, expressing hope the move would begin a long-term partnership between the district administration and UCO Bank.
Operational impact for district administration
District officials said the scooties will be deployed for field-related duties and for improving the timeliness of services that require travel, such as inspections, grievance redressal and community outreach. The DC pointed out that enhanced mobility at the administrative level could translate into quicker response times for citizens and more effective supervision of district programmes.
- The handover ceremony included senior bank and district administration representatives.
- UCO Bank emphasised its presence with nine branches in Nagaland and two in Kohima.
- The bank’s CSR outlay follows the statutory practice of allocating 2% of average net profit of the prior three years.
Broader implications and encouragement to other banks
Buchem encouraged other banking institutions operating in the state to consider similar CSR contributions that directly support public services at the district level. He expressed hope the initiative would inspire comparable efforts in other districts and help strengthen cooperation between financial institutions and local governments.
UCO Bank’s branch head said the bank expects the partnership with the district administration to grow and for future collaboration to support public welfare and development goals. Acharya Sonowal, Resources Head from UCO’s Jorhat headquarters, was present at the ceremony, indicating involvement from regional management in the initiative.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Handover of scooties to DC Office, Kohima |
| Date | 19 August (FY 2026–27 CSR activity) |
| Key participants | B. Henok Buchem; Timothy (UCO Kohima Branch Head); Acharya Sonowal |
| CSR allocation policy | 2% of average net profit of the last three years (as stated by the bank) |
The donation underscores how CSR resources are being channelled to strengthen local administrative capacity in Kohima. Officials said they expect the additional mobility to aid the district administration’s delivery of services, though they did not provide specific deployment details beyond general field and public-service duties.
