Palakkad becomes third fully digital banking district of Kerala

Palakkad, Aug 26 (KNN) The Palakkad district in Kerala on Thursday became the third fully digital banking district after Thrissur and Kottayam.

Speaking on the inauguration of ‘Digital Palakkad’, V.K. Sreekandan, MP, said that digital banking services could not only reduce the use of currency, but also help people save their time and money.

Sreekandan further stressed upon the need for banks to rise above technical formalities and show empathy towards poor people.

Presiding over the function, District Collector Mrunmai Joshi urged the banks to go extra mile to parry online frauds in the banking sector. “You should take the initiative to create awareness among the people about the latest online bank frauds,” she said.

An estimate of 35 lakh accounts in 500-odd branches of 32 banks functioning in the district were digitally enabled during a three-month intensive campaign carried out under the supervision of the Lead Bank. This included the banking services in Attappady and Parambikulam, two remote tribal areas in the district.

“We could reach out to the 200-odd tribal hamlets of Attappady in their language. Videos made in Irula tribal language were a big hit among the tribespeople,” said R.P. Sreenath, Lead District Manager.

RBI General Manager Cedric Lawrence said that everyone would be a VIP on digital platform. He said it was a matter of pride for Kerala as its 4.5 crore accounts were becoming digitally enabled.

Canara Bank General Manager S. Premkumar, RBI Deputy General Manager Gouthaman, State Bank of India Deputy General Manager V. Ramesh, RBI Lead District Officer E.K. Ranjit, NABARD District Development Manager Kavita Ram, Deputy Collector Revenue Recovery Abbas V.E., Lead Bank Officer Santhosh and several other government and banking officials were present at the inaugural event.  (KNN Bureau)