Payment bank facilities planned in 5 more POs

The Department of Posts is making preparations to set up India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) in five more post offices in Chikkamagaluru district by November-end.

The IPPBs will be set up in deputy commissioner’s office complex, Basavanahalli Main Road, Kote, Vijayapura and Ajjampura post offices. At present, IPPBs are functioning from the main post office, Ramanahalli sub-post office, Kabbinahalli, Karthikere and Mugulavalli.

The IPPBs were launched across the country on September 1. With the starting of IPPB, the postmen who deliver letters and money orders to the customers will don a new role of a ‘banker’ with a smart phone and biometric devices in hand to facilitate doorstep banking. Since its inception till October 31, 1,810 accounts have been opened in India Post Payments Banks.

Chikkamagaluru Postal Division Superintendent of Posts G C Srinivas said, “Five more IPPBs will be launched within 15 days. By December-end, it will be opened in 301 post offices in the district.”

The consumers through IPPB app can take up NEFT/RTGS and other facilities. They can even pay bills as well. Teacher Anitha told DH, “I have opened an IPPB account. The opening of the account is easy. I have been transferring money for RD and Sukanya Samruddhi Scheme using the app.”

An account can be opened at the doorstep with the help of a postman by furnishing the details of Aadhaar, phone numbers and an OTP will reach the mobile phone of the customer within five minutes. The postman/Gramin Dak Sevaks are armed with financial knowledge and equipped with a smartphone and biometric device to offer financial services. As many as 23 postmen have been imparted training in the district.