While embarking upon plan to expand the network of Common Service Centres, locally known as Khidmat Centres, to every nook and corner of the state, J&K Bank inaugurated four such centres in Ladakh region in the last few days including one at the world's second coldest place, Drass.
Notably J&K Bank through an agreement with IT Department, J&K Govt. is the Service Centre Agency (SCA) for setting up of 1109 common Service Centers (Khidmat Centers) in J&K under the National e-governance programme of Government of India.
G M Sahibzada Executive President (EP) J&K Bank inaugurated the first Khidmat Center at Dras in presence of Khursheed Pandit Project Incharge CSC/UID, Aga Syed Jamal SDM Dras and Chaten Paljore Zonal Incharge Ladakh. Speaking on the occasion Sahibzada highlighted the role of the bank in establishing the Khidmat centres besides services offered by these centers.
He said, "The Bank's leadership is keen to see the rolling out of such technology based service outlets to far-flung areas of the state". During his speech, the Executive President quoted the vision of the Chairman & CEO of the Bank, Mushtaq Ahmad and said that the chairman aspires to see the state of Jammu and Kashmir as a financially literate and inclusive state. The bank under the leadership of Mushtaq Ahmad is committed to take banking to all in the state- irrespective of their economic standing, educational status and geographical location.
"Our products and technology-enabled services shall follow them wherever they are; both directly through our network of branches and ATMs and indirectly through the innovative model of massive Khidmat Centre network,"said the Executive President.
The second Khidmat Center was inaugurated at Kargil by Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan - Chairman & Chief Executive Councilor LAHDC Kargil in presence of Executive Councilor Syed Kazim Sahib, Executive President G.M.Sahibzada & Project Incharge Mr. Khurshid A Pandit & Chaten paljore Zonal Incharge Ladakh.
The Executive President briefed the gathering about the ambitious e-Governance project of central / state government and the role of the J&K Bank in establishment of this centres.
Extending gratitude Chairman LAHDC Kargil said, "We express our deep gratitude towards the Bank's leadership for taking keen interest to ensure that best banking services reach far off places like Kargil and help in the economic upliftment of the people here besides establishing these Khidmat centres." He stressed upon the people to avail the service offered by these centres.
Project Incharge Khurshid A Pandit thanked Chief guest & Guest of Honour for sparing their precious time making the inaugural function a success.
The 3rd center was inaugurated at Hardass by Project Incharge CSC/UID Khurshid A Pandit. He impressed upon the VLE Village level entrepreneurs to make the people aware about the services offered by the centre. Meanwhile, Executive President G M Sahibzada inaugurated 4th such Khidmat center at Khalsi in presence of project Incharge CSC/UID and Zonal Incharge Ladakh.
Meanwhile, the locals hailed the Bank's efforts to extend the services of these technology-based service outlets to these far-off places. Project Incharge thank the distinguished guests for their presence and also thanked the local residents for their spirit and total support.