SRIKAKULAM: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and Srikakulm District Lead Bank have taken up a special drive to open new accounts for people living in hilly and remote areas of the backward district. They have also taken up a digital literacy campaign in a big way to ensure Aadhaar-based payments at the doorstep of the customers.

 

NABARD District Development Manager M.D. Vasudevan, Lead Bank Manager P. Venkateswara Rao and other senior officials have been conducting a series of meetings to promote cashless transactions with the support of banking staff and business correspondents in remote areas such as Mandal, Goidi, Jammu, Rajapuram, Venkatapuram, and Induvanipeta. Thumb impression of the customer is sufficient to withdraw the amount. “NABARD will supply e-PoS machines to business correspondents through respective banks for Aadhaar-based payments and to promote cashless transactions,” said Mr. Vasudevan.

 

Mr. Venkateswara Rao said that well trained employees were helping customers in downloading Apps like BHIM, AP Purse, and mPAY of Andhra Bank.

 

Trainers’ training

programme

 

Andhra Bank Deputy General Manager B. Radhakrishna Rao said the persons who took up training in various courses were being asked to promote cashless transactions in rural areas. Andhra Bank has already conducted a trainers’ training programme for the promotion of cashless transactions in around 38 villages identified by district Collector P. Lakshmi Narasimham.

 

Financial literacy counsellors K. Girija Sankar and RRM Patnaik told The Hindu that the campaign for the promotion of digital transactions evoked a good response in the tribal belt. “Aadhaar-based payment is being well received as it ensures hassle-free transaction. Local business correspondents are helping them withdraw money in the village itself. The young and educated persons are utilising smart phones for regular transactions,” they added.