Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that J&K Bank has for long identified itself as the peoples' institution of J&K and that it has always reached out to people and brought comfort to their lives.
This was stated by the chief minister, Omar Abdullah at the inauguration of J&K Bank's Business Unit at Waliwar, Ganderbal today.
Hailing Bank's contribution towards development of the state and its commitment to the people of J&K, Chief Minister said, "The reality is that if J&K Bank had not been there, it would have been really very difficult for the state and people of J&K to sustain , particularly during the turmoil. "
"We have been witness to the suspension of business operations by all non-state financial institutions operating in the state in early nineties but the determination to serve the people of J&K shown by J&K Bank during those tough times reflects bank's loyalty and commitment to this state and its people", Chief Minister said.
Earlier, the chief minister dedicated the bank's Business Unit to the people amid huge applause from the locals. Others present on the occasion included Mian Altaf, Minister for Forests and Environment, Mushtaq Ahmad, Chairman & CEO, J&K Bank, Nkhil Garware, Vikrant Kuthiala, A.M Mattoo and Prof. Nisar Ali - directors on the board of J&k Bank, Showkat Ahmad, DC Ganderbal, Bank's Executive Presidents, Presidents and other senior officers of bank and district administration.
Chief Minister appreciated Bank's efforts to reach out to people with its schemes and services "to benefit people especially those associated with agriculture, horticulture andhandicrafts".
"The Bank is extending finance to the unemployed youth of the state through its specially designed schemes and the state government's SKEWPY to nurture the institution of entrepreneurship in the state", he said.
Omar expressed satisfaction on the speed at which J&K Bank was distributing Kissan Credit Cards among the farmers. A total of 2500 KCCs were also distributed among the farmers on the occasion.
Mian Altaf, Minister for Forests and Environment, termed the opening of branch at Waliwar as a great convenience to people of the area and expressed hope that it would immensely contribute to the development of the area and financial well-being of the people living there.
He also thanked Chief Minister and Chairman J&K Bank for fulfilling the demand of the locals to establish a business unit in the area in a short span of time.
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, J&K Bank, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad in his address while thanking Chief Minister for his guidance said that the key to J&K Bank's progress lies in the patronage of and support rendred by the state government under the dynamic leadership of Omar Abdullah.
Stating that the Bank was committed to create employment opportunities, Chairman said that liberal finance to encourage entrepreneurship and creation of more employment opportunities with the J&K Bank continued to remain his priorities. "We have absorbed more than 1600 youth in the services of the bank during the last two years and are in the process of recruiting more talented brains as the posts of Relationship Executives have already been advertised", he said.
"J&K Bank is not a banking or financial company; it is a socially relevant development instituion", Chairman added.
Discribing J&K Bank as an economic transformer, Chairman pledged to vision of enlighteing and empowering lives of people of J&K.
Revealing Bank's expansion plans for the coming years, Chairman said that bank plans to take its branch strength to 1000 in the coming 2-3 years.
J&K Bank would establish a gymnasium as a CSR initiative.
The function culminated with the vote of thanks presented by Abdul Majid Mattoo, Director on the Board of J&K Bank.