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Srinagar, July 8: Jammu and Kashmir State Cooperative Bank (SCB), which was affected due to 17 years of militancy, is introducing ATM banking, SMS banking and any-where-banking with all computerised branches.

Speaking at a function after inaugurating computerisedd services in Habbal and Chanapora branches of the SCB, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Abdul Aziz Zargar said that with the changing technology, bank has to keep pace with new scenario in order to have competitive advantages in the market.

Appreciating the role of management of the bank and Cooperatives Department, the Minister said that the business of the bank is increasing, which has not affected during past 17 years due to turmoil in the state.

He hoped that officers will work with same zeal and dedication so that bank can compete effectively in the present competitive market.

He said half of the bank branches will be computerised by the end of the financial year and rest branches would be computerised during next financial year, adding that ATM banking, SMS banking and any-where-banking facilities would be extended to the customers in very near future.

Mr Zargar impressed upon the officer to introduce more facilities to the customers, so that more people are attracted towards the bank.

He said that cooperative bank is playing important role in lending loan to the farmers. He asked the management of the bank to reassess the loan policy of the bank and make it customer friendly.

He added that government should also devise a policy, which can help in increasing the client tail of the bank. He said though bank is doing a good business yet much has to be done to increase it. He said our economic growth will increase only when income of our small and marginal farmers is increased.

The bank has earned Rs 18.02 crore during this period and bank deposits have been reached to Rs 324.71 crore. It has in advanced Rs 72.01 crore under various sectors during the period.

The cost of the management has been reduced to 1.50 per cent from two per cent.

UNI