Scores of beneficiaries including men and women on Wednesday rushed to banks in north Kashmir and Bhadarwah to withdraw financial assistance credited into their accounts under different central schemes, as part of a relief package in view of the lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.
At many places in north Kashmir, the beneficiaries were seenstanding shoulder-to-shoulder in queues outside the branches of J&K Bank towithdraw the money.
The bank officials said despite announcements, urging peopleto stay home, the beneficiaries the beneficiaries continued to throng thebanks.
The beneficiaries have received assistance under varioussocial welfare schemes which include Jan Dan Yojana, PM Kissan Yojana and undermodel welfare schemes for building and construction workers.
The funds are being directly credited in the accounts of thebeneficiaries. However, various the Bank across north Kashmir were stormed bythe beneficiaries despite restrictions in the wake of COVID19, said officialsworking in various branches of J&K Bank.
The eyewitnesses said there was no physical distancingmaintained and beneficiaries were standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the queues.
“In Baramulla district alone 1.25 lakh beneficiaries areregistered under PM Kissan Yojana. If these beneficiaries will start throngingthe bank branches, it will turnout into a big issue. The beneficiaries need toshow patience as the funds will directly get credited into their account. Weappeal all of beneficiaries not to visit banks in the wake of threat of COVID19threat,” the official said.
The Baramulla branches of J&K Bank have received Rs 51crore for construction workers under a central scheme.
Scores of women with Jan Dhan accounts converged at banks atBhadarwah to withdraw the money credited into their accounts as part of therelief package.
Despite lockdown, women from different parts of Bhadarwahconverged at various banks and stood in long queues while maintaining socialdistancing to withdraw the money under the Jan Dhan Scheme (JDS).
The beneficiaries said the money will be of great help forthem, as in the present circumstances they were left with nothing to buyessentials.
Branch Manger, J&K Bank, Bhadarwah Manoj Kumar said1,200 Jan Dhan accounts have been credited with the assistance.