Union Bank issues free Saving Account cards for street kids

Mumbai, Oct 19 (UNI) In a unique move, the Union Bank of India has issued free saving cards for street children in the Metropolis.

The card will enable children to open a zero balance account and can also serve as an identity card. At present, 200 such cards have been issued and 500 more will be distributed at the Diwali Mela- ''Udaan 2008'', to be organized by Shelter Don Bosco on October 24-25.

''The aim of the scheme is to get them off the streets, introduce a new concept of saving and looking at life. We are also working for a health insurance for the kids,'' Father Barnabe D'Souza of Shelter Don Bosco told UNI here today.

Father D'Souza said there could be anywhere from 30,000 to 1.5 million street children in Mumbai, depending on one's definition and criteria.

UNI ZC LY AKJ AS1628