Banks operating in J&K Wednesday announced curtailment in business hours and shall conduct banking business for public from 10 am to 2 pm with reduced staff presence in branches as well as in controlling offices in view of the prevailing COVID-19 surge.
An official handout in this regard, said the new standard operating procedures will be implemented with immediate effect till May 31, 2021 to safeguard people amid huge spike in COVID-19 cases in J&K.
The decision comes after the communication from Indian Banks Association to SLBC/UTLBC Conveners advising them to hold deliberations with stakeholders regarding circumstances and issue appropriate advisories to banks.
Following the IBA directive, the J&K Bank, Convener J&K UTLBC, conducted a meeting through video conferencing over the matter.
The meeting was attended by President (LBD/UTLBC), Vice President (LBD/UTLBC) and senior level officers of the banks operating in the UT of J&K including SBI, PNB, JKGB, EDB, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, UCO Bank, Canara Bank, PSB, and JKSCB.
The statement said that in order to “strike a balance between public health and economic necessities of the people, the stakeholders unanimously proposed measures for implementation by the banks”.
The measures include curtailing bank business time from 10 am to 02 pm with banking hours restricted from 10 am to 4 pm with reduced staff in branches as well as in controlling offices.
Urging the customers in particular and people in general to make use of digital channels for their banking needs and avoid visiting bank branches unnecessarily, Chairman and MD R K Chhibber was quoted by the statement saying after collectively braving the first wave of the ongoing pandemic people of J&K shall overcome the second wave as well.
Chibber however emphasized to take precautions and follow guidelines issued by the government from time to time.
He said the J&K Bank will stand by all its stakeholders ensuring uninterrupted banking services and financial support within the regulatory framework while strictly following COVID-19 related protocols.
Meanwhile, the UTLBC has also advised the local branches/offices of the banks to ensure uninterrupted banking services to the public through branches, ATMs and banking Correspondents besides facilitating credit needs in a smooth and seamless manner.
Besides, all meetings, training events and camps shall be conducted through online mode to avoid mass gathering.
Furthermore, the UTLBC has urged all the banks to advise their customers to use the digital banking platforms, ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines, Recyclers, BC services etc and abstain from visiting the bank branches unless in case of unavoidable circumstances.
While implementing the new SOPs, the banks shall take all precautionary measures to prevent spread of the pandemic to safeguard the interest of the staff by ensuring the availability of sufficient masks, sanitizers and other safety devices.