Srikakulam: Banking services yet to start at RBKs

Srikakulam: The state government’s assurance to provide banking services at Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBK) is yet to materialise in the district. With an aim of facilitating banking services at RBKs, the state government issued orders to agricultural and lead bank officials.

As per the orders, farmers can avail services like withdrawal of cash up to Rs 20,000 from his own bank account, can withdraw Rs 10,000 from his other banks account, transfer money to other accounts, get mini statements, create awareness on digital transactions, mobile and net banking services among farmers, receive applications from farmers and process the same for crop loans.

Of the total 644 RBKs in the Srikakulam districts, initially both agriculture department and lead bank decided to start banking services at 614 RBKs. But these services are not yet available at RBK so far. As a result, farmers are going to nearest nationalised bank branches to get banking services with regard to their loans, schemes, etc.,

Joint director for agriculture (JDA) K Sridhar admitted that banking services have not yet started at RBKs. “Different nationalised banks have decided to appoint staff for this purpose but they are planning to provide these services through the postal department and discussions are going on between postal and banking officials on bearing of expenses for these services and sharing commission amount earned through these services. Because of this, services are getting delayed,” the joint director of agriculture explained.