Bhubaneswar: In what could be a major relief for many in Odisha, people with a bank account linked to Aadhaar can now make transactions including cash withdrawals at their nearest post office irrespective of the bank they hold their account with. The information was shared by Subash Chandra Verma, Chief Postmaster General of Odisha Circle today.
In view of the situation arising out of COVID-19 outbreak, the State government had directed all district Collectors to ensure bank account holders do not face any problems in carrying out transactions.
All citizens whose bank accounts are Aadhaar seeded can transact money in the nearby post office.
"In the last one week, we have made around 5000 such payments with the help of Indian Postal Payment banks. And Rs 3.45 crore cash has been delivered to people at their doorsteps," informed Verma.
Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Odisha Urges RBI To Ensure Cash Availability In Banks, ATMs
As per the orders, apart from withdrawing money, one can avail facilities like deposits, balance inquiry and many more. The pandemic situation has also prompted the post offices to deliver money orders to the weaker section of the society, enable transaction through Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS), apart from facilitating the delivery of medicines, masks and other essential medical equipment.
Other provisions include supply of food commodities to non-resident Odias, and hearing of public grievances at the earliest.
In another recent development, the Central government has decided to give Rs 500 per month for the next three months the women with Jan Dhan account through direct transfer. The move is claimed to benefit about 20 crore account holders.
On Thursday, as many as 39.51 lakh women Jan Dhan account holders in Odisha received monthly financial assistance of Rs 500 in the first phase under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). The beneficiaries can withdraw the cash from the ATM counters and micro ATM kiosks at petrol pumps by following necessary Covid-19 regulations.