NEW DELHI, Oct 24:
Seeking to raise representation of youth from Jammu and Kashmir and naxal-affected areas in the banking sector, the Government has asked the IBA take steps for holding coaching classes for eligible candidates in those areas.
“It has been noticed that the Left Wing Extremists (LWE) affected areas of the country and the State of Jammu & Kashmir are not adequately represented in the workforce of Public Sector Banks,” the Finance Ministry said in a communication to the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
In this backdrop, the Ministry said residents of such areas need to be supported for appearing in competitive examinations.
“Greater participation of people from such areas would also help the banks in getting over the problem of finding personnel in such areas,” the Ministry added.
In order to help people from such areas to participate in competitive exams, it has been suggested to IBA that banks should be asked to organise special coaching classes to help aspirants prepare for Common Written Examination (CWE) conducted by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
IBPS has already prepared a scheme in this regard.
While asking the IBA to take appropriate steps to operationalise such coaching programmes, the Ministry said the Association may also “advise PSBs to take up this initiative as their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)”.
The Department of Financial Services in the Ministry has also suggested the IBA provide it with a regular progress report in this regard.
Nine States including Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa are facing the problem of Left Wing Extremism.
Jammu & Kashmir has been facing the problem of terrorism and militancy since 1989, which has severely impacted the State’s economy. (PTI)