DC | 26th Aug 2013
Rajahmundry: With the deadline for Aadhaar bank linkage for LPG consumers fast nearing by August 31, the public sector banks have taken up two-day special drive on August 25 and September 1 (both Sundays) for opening of savings bank accounts for those who are yet to have bank accounts for seeding (linkage) with Aadhaar numbers.
As far as East Godavari is concerned, the 42 scheduled banks through their network of over 500 branches (including the new generation banks) completed the bank linkage with Aadhaar numbers of 5.60 lakh by August 24.
The bulk of the accounts over 40 per cent went in favour of the SBI and Andhra Bank numbering 5.50 lakh. While the former to the tune of 1.91 lakh and the later to 1.63 lakh accounts for transfer of LPG subsidy into consumer’s account.
Now with the deadline fast approaching, the Andhra Bank, SBH, BOI, Vijaya Bank, Corporation Bank, Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, Syndicate Bank and Union Bank of India have decided to take up a special drive for two days on last Sunday in August and first Sunday in September.
The bankers made it clear that the special drive is only for opening SB accounts for Aadhaar-bank account linkage and will not transact any other business on these two days.
Meanwhile, the reported announcement of MOS for parliamentary affairs Rajiv Shukla on the issue of direct benefit transfer (DBT) in the Rajya Sabha two days ago is said to have created some confusion on the issue. The reports indicate that the minister stated that it is not compulsory to have Aadhaar number for transfer of LPG subsidy and BDT.