TURA, SEPT 3: SBI branches, barring few, in Garo hills which were closed after kidnapping of its official opened following meetings with Meghalaya minister for Supply and Power Clement R Marak with the bankers and district administration to discuss security issue and functioning of the banks.
During the meeting with the minister legislator and parliamentary secretary Noverfield R. Marak, along with the West Garo hills deputy commissioner and SBI assistant general manager and bankers association were also present.
West Garo hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi informed the bankers present during the meeting about the keen interest the chief minister is taking to resolve the law and order crisis and address the concern of the bankers.
Bakshi informed the meeting in view of the launch of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the chief minister requested the Supply and Power minister to have consultations and discussions with the bankers and district administration to understand the issues and concerns of the bankers and institute measures and steps for reopening of all the bank branches of Garo hills.
The minister also explained the background for convening the meeting and his discussions with the chief minister. He assured the bankers that steps will be taken in pursuance of the discussions made in the meeting as far as possible.
Nixon Joseph, assistant general manager (regional branch office, Tura) explained the reasons which led to thought of closure or merger of the rural banks as a series of kidnappings, extortion notes given to bank officials created fear psychosis amongst the officers and staffs.
The officers association and staff union decided that a staff cannot be exposed to difficult areas.
In view of the launch of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the bankers decided that as far as possible the bank branches should be reopened and made functional.
It was informed that 30 out of 41 SBI branches have already open.
The meeting was also of the opinion that security needs to be provided in the bank branches and to extent possible police escort during their movement to and from the branches,
Bakshi, however, explained to the bankers that escort would be very difficult in the current situation .
It was mentioned that cash remittance has become a major problem as cash has to be collected from the Regional Bank of India branch in Guwahati and transported to Tura with security cover and also when cash is to be transported from Tura to rural branches.
“The major grievance of all the bankers especially SBI was that while police escort and security needs to be provided on a weekly basis, it is being provided once a month by the district police,” Bakshi said.
Bakshi said this has caused tremendous strain and hardship in the people and discontentment at the level of common public who do not get cash withdrawal timely. He said, “Security has been assured by the Superintendent of Police , West Garo hills.”
“The issue of quarter to be provided to the branch manager and staff near the branch was raised with the hope that it will reduce the travelling time and risk involved in the journey to and from the branch,” Bakshi informed.
The security issue was also raised with the request that at least one or two police personnel be sent to the bank branch to liaise with the bank security guard and a request was made for patrolling by the nearest thana or outpost.
The minister also visited some bank branches and had review meetings with the people of the areas.- From Our Correspondent
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