ONGOLE: NOVEMBER 19, 2016 00:00 IST
Many of them don’t have ‘zero balance’ accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana
Withdrawal of high-value notes by the Central government has shocked not only urbanites but also Chenchus, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, in Prakasam district.
A majority of people in the tribal habitations of Koraprollu, Nallaguntla, Chilakacherla, Cheruvugudem and Bandambavi in Dornala mandal are without ‘zero balance’ savings bank account introduced under the Prime Miniser’s pet Jan Dhan Yojana. “We have been running from pillar to post for opening bank accounts without any positive outcome,” says Dasari Chinna Kotaiah. Hundreds of tribal people will be unavailable at home during day time as they have to go to work, he says. They have to walk for about 20 km to reach the nearest bank (Andhra Bank) and cannot skip work frequently. The tribal people are clueless on exchanging the scrapped notes as the bankers insist on depositing Rs. 500 for a normal savings bank account, which they can ill-afford, says Dasari Kesamma.
Many of them are also without the Aadhaar card, an important Know Your Customer (KYC) document mandatory for opening a bank account.
“We have missed when enrolment for Aadhaar card was on in the village last year,” says Kudumala Dargamma, who saved a few Rs. 500 notes to meet any health or other emergencies.
Experts in cutting bamboo in the forests, Chenchus are engaged to work in farms and cut subabul and eucalyptus trees in this drought-prone district. They earn, on an average, Rs.150 per day.
“With dwindling forest produce, we are forced to go to work in the plains,” adds Kudumala Bayanna, another tribal person. Chenchus with a bank account too have a grouse. Their accounts have become dormant as they are not used to carry out any transaction on a regular basis. Those whose accounts are active also have a complaint.
“We are provided with Rs. 2,000 note, which we are unable to exchange in any of the shops,” they say. Those with less amounts in their account are unable to draw any cash. Though some of them worked under the MGNREGS, their accounts were not credited with wages despite a lapse of two months as they turned inactive.