Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 26: Former Finance Minister and senior NC leader, Abdul Rahim Rather has said that decision of the State Administrative Council (SAC) with regard to J&K Bank and bringing this financial institution under RTI and CVC purview is shocking and surprising.
“It is quite shocking to know that the J&K Bank, an efficient, viable and profitable institution has been reduced to a public sector undertaking. I fail to analyse the purpose and reason underlying such a decision,” Rather said in a press statement today.
Rather said right from its inception since 1938, the Bank has been a strong partner in the economic and social development of the State. Besides, its role in employment generation, direct as well as indirect, has been quite commendable. The Bank has been rendering services par excellence. This fact has been reckoned and recognised by one and all in the banking industry till date. Every Government and political dispensation in the State has been whole heartedly supporting the Bank, its businesses model and the management for improved efficiency. The outcome of such policies has been translated on the ground for everybody to see.
Comprehensive and competitive performance of the J&K Bank viz-a-viz other commercial banks and financial institutions would indicate the overall role and scope of J&K Bank in the State economy. A reference to SLBC data for the last four to five decades corroborates and reveals the same. It may be seen that J&K Bank has contributed 65 % to overall credit growth as against 35% put in by other 50 banks and financial institutions operative in the State. The Bank has notably done exemplary hand holding of the poor artisans and farmers. Moreover its branches have been spread in other parts of the country.
” But unfortunately while deciding to reduce its stature to that of a PSU, all these services and the high role of the Bank have been ignored. This decision, l’m sure, will facilitate undue interference in the day today working of the Bank which will prove disastrous for this premier institution, as evidenced by the other PSUs of the State,” former Finance minister said.
” I would urge upon the Governor to appreciate all these facts and revoke the decision in order to ensure that the J&K Bank continues to function for the betterment of the State smoothly,” Rather said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel