J&K Bank Announces New SoPs And Curtailment In Business Hours Amid Covid Surge | Read Here

Srinagar: Banks operating in J&K Wednesday announced curtailment in business hours and shall conduct banking business for public from 10 am to 2 pm with reduced staff presence in branches as well as in controlling offices in view of the prevailing COVID-19 surge.

An official handout in this regard, said the new standard operating procedures will be implemented with immediate effect till May 31, 2021 to safeguard people amid huge spike in COVID-19 cases in J&K.

The decision comes after the communication from Indian Banks Association to SLBC/UTLBC Conveners advising them to hold deliberations with stakeholders regarding circumstances and issue appropriate advisories to banks.

Following the IBA directive, the J&K Bank, Convener J&K UTLBC, conducted a meeting through video conferencing over the matter.

The meeting was attended by President (LBD/UTLBC), Vice President (LBD/UTLBC) and senior level officers of the banks operating in the UT of J&K including SBI, PNB, JKGB, EDB, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, UCO Bank, Canara Bank, PSB, and JKSCB.

The statement said that in order to “strike a balance between public health and economic necessities of the people, the stakeholders unanimously proposed measures for implementation by the banks”.

The measures include curtailing bank business time from 10 am to 02 pm with banking hours restricted from 10 am to 4 pm with reduced staff in branches as well as in controlling offices.