Sri G V MANIMARAN GENERAL SECRETARY, AINBOF SUGGESTIONS TO RBI GOVERNOR ON DISBURSEMENT TO POOR UNDER PM’s GARIB KALYAN YOJANA

*AINBOF
Manimaran G V
General secretary*

The Governor
Reserve Bank of India
Central Office Building
18th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road
Mumbai- 400001


Respected Sir,

We are indeed thankful to our Honourable  Prime Minister for his recognition of the dedicated service being rendered by the Bankers all over the country despite risky situation prevalent in handling the day to day activities of the branches in the midst of corona threat.

We also understood our responsibility of successfully executing the ambitious programs announced under PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN YOJANA viz.,
A. TO DISBURSE Rs.500 PER MONTH FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS TO 20 CRORES WOMEN BENEFICIARIES UNDER PMJDY.
B. TO GIVE Rs. 2000 TO 8 CRORES INDIAN FARMERS UNDER PM KISAN YOJANA.
C. TO GIVE AN EX GRATIA Rs. 1000 TO 3 CRORES POOR SENIOR CITIZENS, WIDOWS AND DISABLED.

In this regard we wish to furnish the prevalent situation and few suggestions to overcome  in disbursing the money at the needy hour without exposing the beneficiaries to the possible infection of the deadly corona virus.

1. Though the disbursements are to be carried out through all categories of branches, about 80% of the beneficiaries are to be serviced through Rural and semi urban branches only.
2. Disbursements are to be effected through the branches, ATMs and Business correspondents( BC)
3. It is estimated that about minimum of 1000 beneficiaries of various categories are to be serviced through every rural and semi urban branches.
4. These rural and semi urban branches are normally be manned by 3 to 4 employees and supervisors and the number is sizeably diminished during this epidemic period.
5. Majority of these branches are not provided by the services of the security guard too.
6. Every branch is servicing minimum of five villages and thus the beneficiaries are spread over these villages who are to be serviced by a single branch with minimal staff.
7. Majority of the branches are managed by the supervisory staff belong to other states and are having the disadvantage of non familiarity with the local language.
8. Every rural and semi urban branch is possessing maximum of three BCs could be used as agents to disburse the money.
9. All the villages might not have been provided with ATM facility.
10. Not more than 40% of the beneficiaries might have availed the Debit card facility to be used in ATMs.
11. More than 50% of the Debit card holders also may need assistance to use the debit card in the ATM and a few might have forgotten the PIN to be used in the ATM.
12. It is practically not possible by the bankers to communicate to all the beneficiaries effectively to come in staggered timings to avail the facility.
13. It is practically difficult to regulate the beneficiaries if they are coming in group and send them back empty handed, once they reached the branch.
14. Sir, your goodself would certainly appreciate the above mentioned genuine and practical difficulties in ensuring the safety of the beneficiaries from the possible infection while disbursing the money to the beneficiaries.

In this regard, we wish to suggest the following for your examination and consideration.

1. A committee may be formed in every village consists of a people representative, preferably the Sarpanch ( Village president), a representative from the Government either from the Agricultural Dept. or from the Revenue Dept. and a personnel from the police department.
2. This committee shall be entrusted with the responsibility of handing over the money ward wise to the beneficiaries in the village by personally visiting their households against the acknowledgment.
3. The committee may collect the money along with the list of beneficiaries from the respective branch in advance pertaining to the particular village on the joint responsibility.
4. The entire process shall be assisted by a representative from the branch.

Sir, the above system will certainly ensure the smooth distribution of money to the beneficiaries without crowding – a risk to be avoided at this juncture.
Thanking you sir.

Manimaran G V
General secretary
AINBOF

Copy to:

1. MD& CEO of Nationalised Banks
2. Department of Financial Services
3. General Secretaries of Affiliates of AINBOF