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Lalbazar Srinagar(Kashmir), Jammu and Kashmir, India
A freelance journalist /broadcaster /sports reporter and scriptwriter from Jammu&Kashmir (India), an Associate Member of ONA (Online News Association), Sports Keeda and Elance U.K

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Reach out to All ....JK Bank's Call


Exclusive report by
Abid Gowhar

Srinagar/May 12,2006/How many people across the globe have real access to the banking facilities? How many have the exact knowledge about banking products and schemes and how many get advantage or benefit of banking facilities? These questions really need answers (if not in exact terms) in present day circumstances, where banks / financial institutions face stiff competition for sustaining profits and of course for the survival. In fact whole banking fraternity feel like chewing a hard nut in coming up to the expectations of its customers. Let us ascertain and try to find a simple answer to these questions from our own lawn.
A recent survey made on every ten persons in different rural and urban areas of the Kashmir valley reveals that only 40 percent of rural population knows about bank’s deposit schemes, while as in urban areas this ratio figures 70 per cent. In rural areas only 20% of the population have knowledge about bank’s loan/ advance schemes and this ratio in urban areas is comparatively better as 50%. This survey is made irrespective of the literacy level of the people.

JK Bank’s initiative:

Realizing the National Policy of financial inclusions and to take a step forward for ensuring banking facilities for all, particularly to unearthen the less-banked areas, The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd. launched a programme called “Reaching-out-to-all” on May 10, 2006 at Gutlibagh village of block Ganderbal. Hundreds of villagers and school children witness the inaugural function held at Government High School Gotlibagh. A similar kind of show was launched by the bank last month in Ranbhir Singh Pora block in Jammu district also for involving deprived class of the society in general banking and thereby helping the masses towards economic upliftment. Bank’s Executive President Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad and chief guest Additional Secretary Rural Development, Mr. Mohammad Ismail Bajii inaugurated the programme at a function held at Gutlibagh Srianagr. Bank’s two General Managers Mr. Shakir Ali Khan and Mr. N.D.Simnani were also present along with Deputy Director Rural Dev. Mr. Showkat A. Beigh and BDO Ganderbal Mr. Munawar Khan.

What Bankers Say:

“We are going to ensure that appropriate banking and credit products and services are available to meet the needs of financially excluded people-vast sections of the under privilege and low income groups. We are consciously positioning ourselves as a provider of services to the many unreached sections of the society in the State” said Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Bank’s Executive President while speaking on the occasion.
“Through this programme we shall be building a long-term relationship with the people living in far flung areas. We want to involve the people in the financial sector who have so far remained outside the purview of financial and banking world. Inclusion of more and more people in the financials and banking atmosphere remains our focal objective.” He further added.
“We are going to start mobile van services which shall be moving from village to village at least once a week. The van shall be rendering services to the people at their doorsteps. We are coming with basket of products which shall be suiting to small business, small entrepreneurs, shopkeepers and other customer segments, in the areas” He added.
Mr. Simnani said that this is the dream of our leadership, which we want to turn in to reality. In his speech, he emphasized on the importance of education and said that development to any society is possible only when there is education and vise versa.

“ATM card is a revolutionary gift to the people who need money at different corners of the world market. In this remote part of district Srinagar, we intend to facilitate underprivileged class of the society. People should come forward to pinpoint our weaknesses so that we should be able to take corrective measures. We have to develop habits for having monthly savings so as to secure our future plans” added Mr. Simanai.
He further stated that the Bank is going to provide a special concession regarding minimum deposit requirement while opening an account and photographs to the customers for opening any kind of account will be taken by the bank itself without any cost. Hassle free services and tailor-made products will be provided at the doorsteps during the mission, that will last for about one month.

Others applaud:

Additional Secretary Government Rural Deptt. Ismail Baji, speaking on the occasion said that while government jobs are more distant than ever, people should take advantage of different sponsored schemes for setting up their own profitable business. The nearest Bank branch of the village is a eight kilometers away, farmer and artisans could save a good time for reaching to the bank.
“Good relations could only sustain by honesty and commitment with the Bank. The people who do not utilize the funds properly will never prosper and that the main cause why people turn bank defaulters. This is the golden opportunity for the Gutli bagh people to take full advantage of JK bank’s project that will facilitate them with modern day services and products. “Himte Mardan Madaddi Khuda” (God helps those who helps themselves) told Bajji to the audience. Rural people are hardworking so they should themselves strive hard for the development and prosperity, then only others could come to help them also” said Ismail Baji.
Haji Mir Aalam, Pushtoo leader of the area welcome the gesture of JK bank and put his grievances and suggestions like concession in the banking formalities and installation of ATM in the area to bank authorities. The Executive president of the Bank latter promised on the dice that all genuine demands and suggestions will be redressed and as soon as suitable land will be provided, the Bank will install ATM machine in the area. While reacting to the demands of the locals he said that every complaint about the bank products and services would enable us to meet public expectations and necessities more effectively. We believe that it is not necessary that any scheme from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will suit the rural needs or requirement of the people of Gutlibagh. We are going for an in-depth survey and analysis to launch our products as per the local needs and scope.
One can imagine the lack of knowledge and ignorance about banking services and its usage from a mere literate resident of village Gultibagh Kh. Noor Mohammad ” We are mostly farmers and labourers. We hardly find any time or any purpose to visit to any branch or JK bank’s branch at Nunar, which is almost seven kilometers from our village. Mostly rural people like us do not have any financial plans or ideas neither we do carry any thought as how to save money for its purposeful use in future nor we have so for been able to know as how to get use of bank loans and deposit schemes”.
“Reaching out to all” a mission launched by JK bank may become a source for financial prosperity of the underprivileged class of the society and could tilt the economic set-up of the State, if the missioners could handle it with zeal and just manage to touch the feelings of the poor and ignorant people.

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