Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 16: First Lady Usha Vohra e-inaugurated the first “All Women Branch of J&K Bank” at a function organised at the SKICC today. Parvez Ahmad, Chairman J&K Bank was present on the occasion.
Usha Vohra also inaugurated special services and products designed exclusively for women clients of the Bank, which included Pink Gold Saving Scheme, Pink Platinum Saving Scheme, Special Loan Facility for Women Entrepreneurs, Pink Gold Debit Card and Pink Platinum Credit Card.
The 13 all female staff of the newly inaugurated All Women Branch were presented Badges of Distinction and Responsibility by the First Lady.
Lauding the momentous step taken by the J&K Bank towards women empowerment, First Lady congratulated Chairman and his concerned colleagues for providing opportunities for women employees and enabling them to assume leadership positions in the Organization.
She expressed concern that the female participation in the labour force has registered a decline and steps must be initiated to facilitate their re-entry into the workforce by providing them a safe environment to live, work and travel to their places of work. She observed that sustained vigorous efforts are required to secure enhanced participation of women from the rural areas in the organised sector labour force, if we intend to empower women in the true sense.
Highlighting the Governm-ent’s efforts towards the emancipation of women and increasing their active role in boosting economy of the country, First Lady observed that the Govt. of India has launched various initiatives like Beti Bachao- Beti Padhao, enhanced maternity benefits for working women, in order to facilitate them and provide a conducive environment at work places.
She emphasised the need to provide large scale opportunities to women for skill development in the non-traditional areas, such as plumbing, carpentary, driving, electrician etc. She expressed concern that the rate of rejection of women’s applications for loans is far higher than that in respect of men and stressed that Banks should be considerate in providing credit facility to single women entrepreneurs and business organisations and cooperatives run by women.
In his inaugural address, J&K Bank Chairman and CEO Parvez Ahmed highlighted the role being played by the bank towards women empowerment.
“Establishment of Ladies Business Unit at Jawahar Nagar is a matter of pride for us at J&K Bank as our maiden initiative to offer exclusive banking services to the women fraternity of the State. It is part of our commitment to be the most credible financial partner and guide of women in J&K state”, he added.
“At J&K Bank we have the best women workforce in terms of integrity and sense of belonging to this institution. I would like to see the day when this great institution of the State is headed by a woman,” said Parvez Ahmed, adding “this is just a first step and going forward we will be opening such Ladies Business Units in Jammu and other major locations of the State besides launching other women specific initiatives”.
“I am sure that the branch will offer comfort and convenience to the women customers. And in order to create a sustainable entrepreneur culture, they will offer financial assistance and counselling to the women entrepreneurs at every stage of the business startup”, he further said.
Rajni Saraf, President J&K Bank, presented the Welcome Address while Tabasum Nazir, Zonal Head, J&K Bank, gave the Vote of Thanks. Vimmy Choudhary conducted the entire function.
Later, an enthralling and soulful sufi musical programme was presented by Shaista Hamid, Muneer A Mir and Rehana Akhtar, eminent Sufi Singers.
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