Raghurajpur becomes Bank of India’s digital village

Puri: Heritage crafts village Raghurajpur in Puri district was adopted by the Bank of India as a ‘digital village’, said the nationalised bank’s general manager SK Agarwal said today.

Initially 20 point of sale (PoS) machines are installed by the Bank of India in Raghurajpur while 200 savings bank accounts have been opened by the bank in the village.

Agarwal, who was present at a function organised by the Bank of India in Raghurajpur, commented, “The move is in line with the digitisation plans of the Government of India and Odisha government. As we are moving towards a less-cash society, the bank will help villagers avail digital services.”

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Janaki Swain, an artisan and a resident of Raghurajpur, said, “With the installation of the PoS machines, money will be directly credited to our bank account. For example, if a visitor buys art work worth Rs 50,000, the buyer can make payment through the PoS machine. The decision will benefit us and help further growth in the village.”

Notably, visitors across the world arrive at Raghurajpur, which is famed for pattachitra, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings and tussar paintings, to purchase the art works.