Continuing with its post-global-recession-endeavour to provide succour to the handicrafts industry and people associated with it, J&K Bank disbursed Rs.8.10 lacs among thirty artisans, thereby making it an aggregate amount of Rs.2.50 crores disbursed by the Bank under the revised Dastkar Finance scheme in the localities around the Dal Lake. The disbursements were made by Parvez Ahmed, Bank's President at a function held at the Bank's Hazratbal business unit today. Those present on the occasion, apart from scores of artisans, included Fazl-i-Mehboob Gani, Zonal Head Kashmir Central, M.A Khan, Cluster Head, branch head and other officials of the Hazratbal branch.
Speaking on the occasion Parvez Ahmed said that the challenge posed to the Kashmir's handicrafts industry by the global meltdown needed serious response to help these culturally relevant industries that feed around half a million people of Kashmir. "J&K Bank, as always, came out with a solution by revising its Dastkaar Finance Scheme to help artisans continue their arts and crafts by providing cushion in the form of this special and timely finance", Parvez Ahmed said, adding, "Objective is to make you self-reliant, do away with exploitation of artisans at the hands of financial intermediaries and arrest the trend of shifting of activity by the artisans for want of more bucks".
Urging the artisans to be regular in depositing monthly instalments, he insisted upon proper utilization of the finance to make it a symbiotically profitable venture for the Bank as well as the artisans. "We have been serving you from the last 70 years and will continue to do so in future as well provided your support and cooperation remains persistent", he stated.
Mr Gani in his address informed the gathering that Bank's Zakura, REC, Shalimar and Hazratbal branches had in aggregate disbursed more than 2.50 crore rupees among the artisans under the Dastkar finance scheme following the last year's economic slowdown. "We are committed to provide the best services and design best products customized to suit your needs but in return we need reinforcement of the emotional equity and unparalleled confidence in the J&K Bank. Together we can make profits, attain prosperity", Gani said.
After expressing vote of thanks, Cluster Head M A Khan said that the Bank had been encouraged by the regular deposition of instalments by the artisans, who have availed advance under the Dastkar Finance. "Please act responsibly and don't wait for the instalment reminders. It's your Bank, make the best of it", he advised the artisans.