Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today e-inaugurated two Digital Banking Units (DBU) of J&K Bank – one each in Srinagar and Jammu districts – as part of country-wide dedication of 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) to the nation. Under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, these 75 DBUs were set up in 75 districts of the country with an aim to promote financial inclusion.
Addressing the nation through video-conferencing on the occasion, Prime Minster Narendra Modi congratulated RBI, DFS, along with the people from banking and financial sector associated with the Digital India Mission for establishing first of these 75 DBUs in 75 districts to commence an era of ease in banking that, he said, will further financial inclusion and enhance banking experience for citizens.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Governor (RBI) Shaktikanta Das, Secretary Department of Financial Services (DFS) Sanjay Malhotra, CMDs of public and private sector banks also attended the launching ceremony via virtual mode.
In Jammu, J&K Bank MD & CEO Baldev Prakash led the inaugural function at the Bank’s DBU in Chhanni Rama, where Union Minister of State (MoS) Health & Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar and Member of Parliament from Jammu Jugal Kishore Sharma were the guests-of-honour on the occasion. Bank’s director-on-board R K Chhibber, Ex-deputy CMs Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta, and J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina were also present at the inaugural event. And in Srinagar, General Manager Sudhir Gupta presided over the function with Union Minister of State (MoS) Education Subhas Sarkar along with Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu as the guests-of-honour at the Bank’s DBU in Lal Chowk.
A cross-section of society comprising of elected public representatives, civil society members and social activists also participated in the virtual inauguration of the DBUs and appreciated the Bank’s efforts in implementing the Union Government’s mission of Digital India.
Commenting on the occasion, MD & CEO Baldev Prakash expressed pleasure on the inauguration of two DBUs. He said, “We feel greatly delighted to be part of the nation-wide inaugural function of 75 DBUs at the august hands of PM Narendra Modi Ji. I feel greatly inspired by the insightful address wherein PM Modi Ji explained his vision and mission of Digital India most clearly and comprehensively.”
“As the premier financial institution of J&K and Ladakh UTs, we will take these words of wisdom as guiding light for all our digital initiatives to ensure that we contribute majorly towards making Digital India a reality across our operational geographies”, he added.
The inaugural event was also attended by Bank’s General Managers, Divisional Heads, Deputy General Managers, Zonal Heads, Cluster Heads, and Branch Heads besides other staff members across the country through virtual mode.
Notably, DBUs will be brick-and-mortar outlets which will provide a variety of digital banking facilities to people such as the opening of savings accounts, balance-check, printing passbooks, transfer of funds, investment in fixed deposits, loan applications, stop-payment instructions for cheques issued, applications for credit and debit cards, tax and bill payment and nominations.(KNS)
