Kerala Banks Don Step Motherly Attitude towards Jan Dhan Yojna.

published on October 11, 2014

While the entire nation basks in the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Jan Dhan Yojna, the nationalized banks of Kerala are reported to be donning a step motherly attitude towards the same. Jan Dhan Yojana calls for ‘bank accounts for all with zero balance account’. Banks in Kerala are said to be indifferent to the scheme stating that it is non-profitable for banks.

Nationalized banks including SBT, an associated bank of State Bank of India are said to be maintaining a dampening attitude regarding the same, and are reported to be dissuading customers from opening accounts in Jan Dhan Yojana. In fact, the disinterest shown is greater in branches of leading banks functioning in village sectors.

Complaints have also come up, where customers have been told about Adhar card being compulsory, without which opening of account will be a cumbersome task. Grievances of bank authorities having shown extreme disinterest, coupled with disinterested attitude, have been pouring in from bank branches in Vaikom, Kottayam district. This is being seen at a glaring pace in backward districts like Idukki, Wayanad etc. What more, banks in Moolamattam are said to have informed customers that “the only information they have regarding the scheme are through news papers”.

The dissuasion, according to sources, is said to be part of business tactics. Political inclinations of banks are allegedly another reason for the step motherly attitude. Most organizations that bank employees are members of, have Left political leanings. Sources have stated that standing instructions have been issued to banks to reject outright and impede its availing in the state.

Banks in Kerala claim that 95% of the population has bank accounts, out of which majority have savings bank account. Majority of these savings accounts insist on minimum balance. Also nationalized banks insist on a balance of thousand rupees, in order to avail the cheque book facility, along with accounts. According to the Prime Minister’s scheme, even if a family has a bank account, a new account can be opened in the name of the house wife as well.

While the striking feature of the Prime Minister’s scheme is zero balance account, along with debit card and a personal insurance scheme of one lakh rupees in case of accident, bank authorities remain disinterested. Jan Dhan Yojana has also outlayed a facility of Adhaar connected overdraft accounting. The scheme, announced on Independence Day, had a target of opening one crore bank accounts.