As part of its campaign on banking awareness, All Kerala Bank Employees Federation (AKBEF) has published a handbook, ‘Banking Literacy Mission’. The book that was released by Justice V R Krishna Iyer on May 1 elucidates the mission of banks in society and the various services that it provides.
In the prologue of the book it is written that a bank is a globe-trotting financial source that can deliver money to even far-flung places.
A D Josson, the General Secretary of AKBEF says, “True to the saying that a fortunate person in the world is the one who does not have any debt. The cost of living has increased tremendously over the years and one cannot simply meet the expenses with one’s earning. And there lies the relevance of the banks with new policies and schemes. Today, though everyone among us have a bank account, there is a general inhibition and ignorance among people regarding the offers provided by banks. Our aim is to make banking more people-friendly and this handbook is a part of our mass campaign.”
“While approaching a bank for a scheme, one should select the correct plan. The book elaborates on the various social service schemes that the government offers through banks like Differential Rates of Interest (DRI) schemes, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), SGSY (Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana) and many others,” explains Josson.
Josson says that AKBEF has distributed handbooks in all districts. He says “Banks are providing innumerable services to the masses including the marginalised and poor sections of the society like Kisan Credit Card Scheme, Artisans Credit Cards (ACC) scheme, National Sericulture Project and many others.”
Also government subsidies and schemes have also been provided for woman self help groups, SC/ST, and the likes, he adds.
The book also mentions details regarding Financial Literacy and Credit Counseling Centre (FLCC), along with the contact numbers. There are also steps to resolve complaints regarding education loans, possibilities to avoid tax, and other schemes.
Josson says the two demands that AKBEF put forth towards the government through their campaign are to include financial banking literacy in the school curriculum and to include the right to banking services as a fundamental right.
“On December 27, an All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) meeting will be held at Kochi, and we have published the hand book as a prelude to the meeting,” says Josson.