In a bid to promote financial inclusion in the country, the government has asked all the private and public sector banks to ensure that accounts be opened for all the workers of the organised and unorganised sectors by November 30 that their salaries are paid on time.
The Finance Ministry wrote to the banks asking them to put to use their entire machinery including retired bankers, business correspondents and counselling centres to ensure that the unbanked have bank accounts by the end of this month.
“In order to facilitate financial inclusion of workers and to ensure timely payment of their wages, it has been decided to launch a campaign to open bank accounts for workers of the organised and unorganised sectors who do not have any bank account as of now. It has, therefore, been decided to organise special camps for this purpose, starting from 26 November,” said the letter.
Banks have been asked to collect the Aadhaar and the mobile number of the account holder “wherever possible”.
These accounts will be opened on the lines of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and will have minimal know-your-customer (KYC) requirements. Banks have been asked to work with the district collectors, central and state government officials to ensure these bank accounts are opened by 30th November.
