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Maharashtra ration shops to offer basic banking services

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Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) In a unique initiative, the Maharashtra government has collaborated with the private sector Yes Bank to enable Fair Price Shops to offer limited banking services to the far flung rural populations, an official said on Tuesday.

Under this first-ever initiative, through the e-PDS programme, ration shops in the state will be taken on board as Business Correspondent Agents’ (BCAs) of Yes Bank.

Yes Bank will onboard around 40 per cent of the 20,000-plus ration shops in 12 districts like Thane, Palghar, Pune, Kolhapur, Latur and others to extend banking and value-based services that could benefit around seven lakh citizens.

These BCAs would provide small-value cash deposits into any bank accounts including domestic remittances and withdrawals from any account via Aadhaar-Enable Payment System (AEPS).

All ration shops will also be able to collect digital payments through the AEPS to offer services like bill payments, DTH recharges, mobile recharges, bus or hotel bookings, etc., in return for a commission.

The AEPS is a bank-led model permitting online interoperable financial inclusion transactions at any point of sale through the BCA of any bank using Aadhaar authentication.

Food & Civil Supplies Minister Girish Bapat said that the e-PDS has helped the government eliminate more than one million fake ration cards in the state besides fully digitalising inventory management for government and ration shops.

“The new initiative will help boost the BCAs with additional revenue through various services they will offer to the people and allow the citizens to have convenience of banking services at their neighbourhood ration shop,” Bapat said.

Yes Bank’s Chief Digital Officer Ritesh Pai said that the bank remains committed to improving the ‘last mile inclusion’ and translating financial access into enhanced convenience and usage for smoother delivery of G2C (Government to Citizens) through simple digital solutions.

To be spread across the rest of the state gradually, the scheme is expected to help Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) users who have a card but no access to point of sale machines or ATMs to use their bank accounts for daily purposes with a simple biometric authentication.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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