Scores of beneficiaries including men and women on Wednesday rushed to banks in north Kashmir and Bhadarwah to withdraw financial assistance credited into their accounts under different central schemes, as part of a relief package in view of the lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic. At many places in north Kashmir, the beneficiaries were seen standing shoulder-to-shoulder in queues outside the branches of J&K Bank to withdraw the money. The bank officials said despite announcements, urging people to stay home, the beneficiaries the beneficiaries continued to throng the banks.The beneficiaries have received assistance under various social welfare schemes which include Jan Dan Yojana, PM Kissan Yojana and under model welfare schemes for building and construction workers. The funds are being directly credited in the accounts of the beneficiaries. However, various the Bank across north Kashmir were stormed by the beneficiaries despite restrictions in the wake of COVID19, said officials working in various branches of J&K Bank. The eyewitnesses said there was no physical distancing maintained and beneficiaries were standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the queues.“In Baramulla district alone 1.25 lakh beneficiaries are registered under PM Kissan Yojana. If these beneficiaries will start thronging the bank branches, it will turnout into a big issue. The beneficiaries need to show patience as the funds will directly get credited into their account. We appeal all of beneficiaries not to visit banks in the wake of threat of COVID19 threat,” the official said.The Baramulla branches of J&K Bank have received Rs 51 crore for construction workers under a central scheme.Scores of women with Jan Dhan accounts converged at banks at Bhadarwah to withdraw the money credited into their accounts as part of the relief package.Despite lockdown, women from different parts of Bhadarwah converged at various banks and stood in long queues while maintaining social distancing to withdraw the money under the Jan Dhan Scheme (JDS).
The beneficiaries said the money will be of great help for them, as in the present circumstances they were left with nothing to buy essentials.
