09-08-2021: The delegation of Chamber of Commerce & Industry led by Sh. Anil Gupta, Sr. Vice President accompanied by Sh. Rajeev Gupta, Jr. Vice President, Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Secretary, and Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Treasurer met Sh. Arun Gandotra, Executive President J&K Bank at Rail Head Complex Jammu. Sh. Anil Mehta, President J&K Bank, Sayeed Rais Maqbool, President J&K Bank, Sh, Shareesh Sharma, Vice President, and Zonal Head J&K Bank were also present in the meeting.
During interaction Sh. Anil Gupta raised the issue regarding the rate of bank interest being charged by the J&K bank is much higher as compared to other banks, it should be brought at par with other banks. The charges for yearly renewal of bank limit are very much expensive. We, therefore, request that the period of renewal of bank limits be made 3 years instead of every year. Sh. Anil Gupta also said that the J&K bank is deducting the charges from its account holders for obtaining checkbooks and other transaction charges, while as no bank in Jammu is charging for the same. We request to kindly look into it. Regarding restructuring of NPA accounts, it was pointed out that the Trade and Industry have suffered huge losses due to the Post August 2019 situation followed by the Covid-19 pandemic since March 2020 which resulted in the closure of Industrial activities and markets. We, therefore, demand for the rehabilitation and restructuring of the accounts with a one-time waive of accumulated interest of those account holders whose accounts have been converted into NPA due to unforeseen circumstances and also provide some additional finance without interest to its customers.
It was also said that the Government has announced MSME benefits for the trade sector also, but J&K Bank is not allowing such benefits to its Customers. This may kindly be looked into. It was also demanded that some special counters be earmarked in some J&K Bank branches for MSME registration from Udyam Portal. J&K Bank should provide some incentives to its good paymaster customer who are adhering to the norms of the bank and are clearing their accounts in time. During the meeting, it was also pointed out that during the Pandemic period the trade, transport, and hotel sectors have suffered huge losses. Chamber requested that some incentives be given to these sectors for their revival and survival. Chamber also demanded the up-gradation of Credit / Debit Cards of the customers with free longue facility at the airports.
In the end Sh. Arun Gandotra Executive President J&K Bank assured the Chamber team that the issues raised in today’s meeting will receive due and preferred attention.