Jammu, October 13, (Scoop News)- J&K Special credit cum Relief Camps by Indian Banks Association and Ministry of Finance Department of financial services Government of India supported by the J&K Bank convener SLBC J&K were launched today by Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charges), Earth Sciences (Independent Charge), PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Government of India, Dr Jitendra Singh in presence of Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs J&K, A R Rather, Chairman & CEO J&K Bank Mushtaq Ahmad, Chairman IBA. T.M. Bhasin, Principal Secretary, B V Vyas, senior functionaries of all Bank’s, prominent citizens and a number of flood affected persons of Jammu region.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh exhorted the needs for the banks to reach out to the people of the state in this hour of crisis and stressed on involving the civil society in relief measures so as to ensure that all the victims are provided relief. He said that there is no dearth of relief but maintains that the need is to reach out to the right persons in right time and in right manner.
The Minister said that the state witnessed catastrophic floods and this trail of devastation should make us introspect and bring about a change in our mindset to stop playing thoughtlessly with nature to meet our selfish interests. He said nature has given us a second chance to respect and use our resources judiciously.
He said that our army, air force and paramilitary forces have carried out rescue and relief operations in such a magnitude and exhibited exemplary valour and it is a matter of pride to have such forces who are safeguarding our borders and at all time extending a humanitarian hand to the people in time of crisis.
He assured all assistance to the state from the central government. He highlighted the main features of the Loans for economic activities and house reconstructions with elongated repayment schedule, concessional rate of interest, and extended moratorium for the flood affected people of Jammu and Kashmir after the launch of the camps.
Exhorting the role of banks in providing assistance to people for rebuilding lives Mr Rather said that banks should reach out to the people and asked for relaxation in norms for hassle free credit facilities and assistance to the people. He thanked the central government for providing the requisite relief to the state. He said that the magnitude of devastation was enormous and in spite of the fact that the state machinery was badly affected due to floods chief minister and the state government mobilized the limited recourses to gear up the relief operations to provide succor to the people.
The government of J&K is well aware of the magnitude of the losses that the people in Jammu and in Kashmir have suffered due to the floods. We are expediting to bring economy back on wheels as soon as possible said Mr Rather.
Earlier, Chairman J&K Bank Mushtaq Ahmad expressed his sympathies for the flood affected people of the region. He thanked IBA, RBI and the central government for extending full support in drafting and sanctioning of the package as per the need and sentiments conveyed in the special SLBC meeting by the banking fraternity operating in the state.
Chairman IBA T M Bhasin also expressed his feelings on the unprecedented situation in the valley due to the deluge and pledged support for the initiatives taken by the banking Industry especially the J&K Bank for rehabilitation of the people in the flood affected areas of the state.
The function concluded with vote of thanks by the bank’s President, S K Bhat.
Notably, similar scheme is being launched today at SKICC, Srinagar.