About two days back I was told by some people  that in one of the branches of the largest banks in India, right in the capital of India Delhi, some banks have given the work to a team who are flooded with requests for opening of the account.   Surprising I was told that people approaching the bank are being asked to pay  Rs 20/- as charges for paperwork etc.   I ignored this report and thought that Rs 20/- is a small amount and may be being charged for some for the sport photocopying etc.   However, there was no justification for charging of even such amount from the poor people who are running from pillar to post for opening of their accounts so that they do not miss the bus of free insurance and Rs 5000 as overdraft.

Now, we  have received reports that in another branch of a bank in East Delhi, some middlemen  (claiming to be working on behalf of bankers) are now charging upto Rs 200/- to ensure that the accounts of the poor people are opened under Jan Dhan Yojana.    I would like to call the comments of our fellow bankers as to what the report at their end indicate.    Whether the work is being exclusively handled by the bank staff or they are hiring temporary hands to collect the applications, create the database for uploading in the system.   Who is responsible for KYC of these accounts?   Whether there is any control on the outsiders who are bringing the applications in bulk (as they may be working as conduit for corruption). 

I was wondering if these incidents of collecting money from poor people can happen in the capital of the country,  what must be happening in rural areas of UP and Bihar which are notorious for seve sulek.  At such places there is no control on the staff and middle men as administrative offices are too far and there are no higher up authorities or journalists who will cover such stories.  If this trend continues, soon the rate of opening such accounts may cross Rs 1000 to Rs 2000, and dishonest will reap a big bargain.

If the above happens, it will be the biggest blot on Modi Government and when later exposed on the bank staff.  

Although this issue has not yet been raised at any other forum, and ABS may be the first forum to bring this to highlight.  We do not have the facilities to do a sting operation like Cobra Post,  I would wish if Cobra Post or some other investigative websites / news channels take a clue from here and do the sting operation across India, the results may be startling.    I feel it is high time to nip this corruption in the bud and it is a wake up call for CMDs, EDs, GMs of banks or else the whole scheme will fizzle out and it will bring wrath of the poor people and will put the biggest dent on the reputation of the already battered banks and bankers.

Modi ji Jago or else your dream of  Financial Inclusion may become graveyard of BJP.    There is a need to further probe this issue and ensure that timely action is taken and dishonest bankers are suspended and middlemen thrown out.    Honest bankers may not have time to complete this task on account of poor staff level and the middle men on whom they may depend will start looting the poor people.