The zeal with which the Union government launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in August last year seems to be missing when it comes to make the scheme work.
Not many among the few lakh of poor people in Adilabad are able to operate their zero balance bank account, or Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) account, opened under the PMJDY though months have passed since they opened it.
The problem lies in post-offices delaying delivery of RuPay debit cards (ATM cards) to thousands of individual account holders and banks failing to provide Personal Identification Number (PIN) numbers to thousands of others whose cards have been delivered.
This factor is hindering people in making their BSBD accounts operational, especially in the backward rural confines of this district.
“I received my debit card about 4 months back but have yet to receive the PIN number which will enable me to withdraw money,” disclosed Kanaka Ramesh, a tribal engineering student from Pardhanguda in Indervelli mandal headquarter. Kumra Ram Shau, another Adivasi from Gattepalli in the same mandal, has the same story to tell as he is unable to operate the account owing to non-availability of PIN.
Dinesh Rathod, the customer service provider at Indervelli says he has opened 8,400 BSBD accounts of which about 4,000 ATMS have been despatched by banks. “Only about 1,300 accounts are operational as others have yet to get PIN numbers for their debit cards,” he said. “I desperately need the account to be operational as I study in Hyderabad,” Ramesh asserted.
“If there is no money in our account how can we purchase the insurance policies being offered by the Central government under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana or the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti,” questioned Ram Shau as he enlists the worthlessness of a bank account which cannot be operated.
On their part, bankers in Adilabad do not show keen interest in providing service for BSBD accounts where money transactions are of low key. They shudder at the prospect of transacting ‘petty’ business across cash counters as mandals like Sirpur (U), Bazarhatnoor and Kuntala, to name a few, do not have cash dispensing ATMs.
