Himachal Pradesh to take mobile banking to people’s doorsteps
After becoming the first state in the country to achieve 100 per cent financial inclusion with every household having a bank account, Himachal Pradesh — it has 12.13 lakh households across 12 districts —has embarked upon a new plan to take mobile banking to the doorsteps of the account-holders.
The toughest areas, including those in the tribal districts of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur, may be taken up first on a pilot basis. The state also proposes to provide 100 per cent credit card coverage to all households in all areas.
Principal secretary (finance) Arvind Mehta says,
“Himachal topography is such that banks cannot open its branches in every corner. Here, mobile banking technology is certainly an answer to the growing demand for banking facility upto village level. We are working on a proposal with the State Bank of India and PNB to take up mobile banking project on a pilot basis.”
The account-holders in the rural areas find it difficult to travel to the branch or use ATM service. The accessibility also becomes impossible during the peak snow days, or due to landslides.
Source: IndianExpress
Categories: mCommerce
I think Financial inclusion is already being implimented in HP through Smart cards, which is a better solution than mobile banking. reason being: 1) these are rural people and don't have money to buy mobiles. 2) they are illetrate and hence using a mobile for banking is a bigger issue and even the urban people are not as of now comfortable to mobile banking. 3) the concern of rural population is saving and with drals and not paying bills or the fund transfer.
Rightly said Sandeep,
If any company can combine Saving and Mobile Banking it will be Win-Win situation for everyone. Like having an micro-FD account using mobile