Debabrata Saikia sends missive to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia has requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to ensure inclusion of the masses in the banking service sector so that Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) could be done in future to avoid corruption.

In letter to Sitharaman, Saikia said, "I would like to inform you that with a view to ensuring inclusion of the masses in the banking service sector so that DBT could be done in future to avoid corruption. The then UPA Government at the Centre, under the leadership of Smt Sonia Gandhi and guidance of Dr. Manmohan Singh, had launched a programme for opening of bank accounts by those who did not have bank accounts. The scheme was officially called Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDA), but was also known as 'Zero Balance Accounts' or 'No Frills Accounts'. As many as 24.3 crore people had opened bank accounts under that scheme. After the BJP-led alliance came to power, the name of the scheme was changed to 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana'."

Saikia further said, "Now, during this lockdown the Government has announced that Rs. 500 per month will be deposited in all Zero Balance Jan Dhan Yojana bank accounts held by women. However, I have come to know that many people who had opened Zero Balance Accounts between 2010 and 2014, i.e. before the BJP-led Government came to power at the Centre, are being denied grant of financial relief. For instance, I visited a Customer Service Point (CSP) in my Legislative Assembly Constituency yesterday and found out that Smti. Binita Handique (Serial No. 848 & A/C No. 33323404606), Smti. Junmoni Dutta (Serial No. 849 & A/C No. 33323404651), Smti. Pallavi Gogoi (Serial No. 841 & A/C No. 33323405087), Smti. Jayanti Buragohain (Serial No. 822 & A/C No. 33323405281) and dozens of other women, who opened Zero Balance Accounts prior to 2014, have not been provided financial assistance as per the assurance of the Government of India. On the other hand, certain women who opened Zero Balance Accounts as recently as January or March this year, such as Smti. Sabita Konwar (Serial No. 1040 & A/C No. 33452984937) and Smti. Lily Saikia (Serial No. 1041 & A/C No. 33452985001), have received the financial assistance in question via DBT.

"…this sort of discrimination is manifestation of a very unjust, politically-motivated policy of your Government. Indeed, it is tantamount to a crime against humanity to deprive any section of citizens of assistance in this time of nationwide crisis. As such, I request you kindly to look into the matter personally and take immediate steps to ensure that all Zero Balance Account holders are treated equally and that none is deprived in the coming days of much-needed assistance provided by the Government."