Business revival package: Over 3.65 Lakh accounts benefited under the scheme: J&K Bank
Srinagar: Over three lac sixty five thousand accounts in J&K have benefited from the first tranche of relief released by the UT Government under its Business Revival Package for the eligible businesses affected by the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic and the restructured accounts of 2014-floods and 2016-disruption.
As the leading bank, J&K Bank alone has received Rs 222 Cr out of the Rs 250 Cr released by the government in its first tranche so far out of Rs 950 Cr sanctioned for the banking sector. The bank has already passed the amount of Rs 222 Cr as relief to 2.61 lac eligible beneficiary accounts. Meanwhile, other banks operating in the region have released over Rs 27 Cr to 1.04 lac beneficiary accounts, the bank said in a statement issued here.
Notably, J&K Government led by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha had constituted a five-member committee to work out modalities for the economic revival in the union territory and extending support to its business community. The committee, headed by the then Advisor to Lt Governor, K K Sharma, comprised of Financial Commissioner (Finance Department), Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce, Secretary Tourism and the bank’s Chairman and MD.
The committee recommended the financial relief of Rs 950 Cr for banking sector as major part of the total Economic Revival Package of Rs 1350 Cr. The package included 5% interest subvention for the eligible businesses affected by the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic.
“The comprehensive package has been a game-changing step in various ways to revive the economy of the region. It has provided much needed relief to the business and traders community who had been pegged back by the unprecedented pandemic. For such a huge relief and revival package that has helped the entire trader and business community besides banks operating in the region, we must express our sincere gratitude to the hon’ble Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam and Financial Commissioner Dr A K Mehta, who are very much concerned about the economic development of the people of J&K,” the CMD said.
“The subvention released by the government has not only brought relief to the business community by way of hand holding them in repayment of interest charged to their accounts but also helped the bank in realisation of the part amount of interest from the borrowers. The remaining instalments when released by the government will further strengthen the bank’s asset quality and bring more relief and happiness to the business community,” he said.
Moreover, after establishing Special Desks in all the zones for young entrepreneurs irrespective of gender, J&K bank has so far financed around 14000 young entrepreneurs during the recently concluded UT Government’s B2V3 program. Appealing the young aspiring entrepreneurs to avail the loan facilities offered by J&K Bank for their entrepreneurial journey, the CMD said, “In every branch we have designated an officer to guide and facilitate aspiring entrepreneurs. Those who want to do business can visit any of our branches for finance.”
KU organises second extension lecture on Shaikh-ul-Aalam (RA)
‘Legacy of Sufis, Reshis indispensable to our rich heritage, culture’
Srinagar: Kashmir University’s Markaz-i Noor Centre for Shaikh-ul-Aalam Studies (CSAS) on Saturday organised another extension lecture on Shaikh-ul-Aalam (RA).
Renowned historian and philosopher Prof Sanaullah Parvaz delivered the lecture—second in a week’s time—titled ‘Contested Reading of Shaikh-ul-Aalam’.
Referring to iconic role of Shaikh-ul-Aalam (RA) in promoting harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir, Prof Parvaz stressed on the need to adhere to the rich Reshi-Sufi precepts in the contemporary scenario, and to understand Shaikh-ul-Aalam’s poems and make them accessible to the young generation.
“The iconic role of Sufis and Reshis in cultural transformation of Kashmir at an important juncture of our history has to be the main focus of our scholars as the legacy of Sufis and Reshis is indispensable to Kashmir heritage and culture,” he said, asserting that efforts need to be made to incorporate their glorious teachings in the curriculum.
The discourse on Shaikh-ul-Aalam’s diversity, vision, world-view, philosophy and value system must also open doors for further investigation in the study of Kashmir’s culture and civilization, with special reference to Alamdar-i-Kashmir, he said.
Noted writer and scholar Prof Gulshan Majeed presided over the function.
“There is a vast scope for propagating and adhering to the rich legacy of Reshis and Sufis in the prevailing chaotic global and regional scenario,” he said.
Earlier, CSAS chairman Prof G N Khaki welcomed Prof Parvaz and other guests, even as he highlighted the importance of organising such academic programmes.
The lecture, among others, was attended by noted academics and scholars including Prof N A Baba, Dr M Saleem Beg, Prof Mehfooza Jan, Prof Tariq A Rather, Prof Majrooh Rashid, Dr A R Shah, Dr Maroof Shah, Prof Naseem Ahmad Shah, Prof Peerzada Irshad Zia, Prof Tariq A Chesti, Dr S Iqbal Qureshi and Mr Mashoor.
