-Jaharsing Pauwa, Kathmandu
As part of our consistent effort towards financial inclusion and adopting Technological advancements for the banking in unbanked areas, Nepal SBI has rolled out a new initiative "Nepal SBI Digital Village".The project aims at transforming the selected villages into cashless ecosystem by adopting safe, healthy and vibrant digital channels for financial transactions.
Our parent bank, State Bank of India has already embarked on transforming the villages into cashless eco system by adopting them as SBI Digital Villages in India. In line with the initiatives of SBI in India, NSBL has launched similar initiative in Nepal and to begin with, has identified a village “Jaharsing Pauwa” in Sankarapur Municipality, situated 20 KMs north-east side of Kathmandu. The village is inhabited by approximately 450 households with population of 2,200. Major economic activities in the area are traditional farming and animal husbandry. This village is gaining popularity as one of the tourist destinations of the Kathmandu valley.
Aiming to bring each household under the banking fold our Bouddha Branch, has undertaken various activities for ensuring 100% financial inclusion with focus on migration to alternate channels through PoS, ATMs, CDM/ CRM Mobile banking, Internet Banking which will ultimately convert this village into a cash-less eco system.
Further, to improve overall living conditions of the people in the area credit linkages and coverage under deprived sector has also been attempted.
A brief account of the progress being made is as under:
Digital /Alternate Channel Deployment:
- ATM/CRM (Cash Recycler machine)
- Internet Banking (INB) Kiosk
- PoS Machines at a few shops and hotels
- Network Connectivity having bandwidth of 4 mbps for digital devices and 2 mbps for Wi-Fi has been made available
- A secure Wi-Fi hotspot for the free usage of internet has been created for the local inhabitants.
Banking Activities completed/in progress:
- Saving Account of each household have been opened.
- ATM Cards for the eligible have been distributed.
- Several rounds of financial literacyprogram have been conducted.
- Tech Learning Sessions, demonstrating use of Alternate channels has been conducted and will be continued.
- Credit linkages: Loan to eligible households for carrying out economic activities has been sanctioned under Deprived Sector, which are ready to be disbursed.
Nepal SBI being a responsible Corporate citizen has also contributed towards uplifting the overall living conditions of the people in the area by undertaking following activities under its CSR initiative at Jaharsing Pauwa:
- Fixing of Solar Panel Street Lights in the market area.
- Hand over some medical equipments to the primary health centre.
- For the Shree Kalika Saran Secondary School at Jaharsing Pauwa Village
(1) Conducted awareness program for Class 9 and 10 female students (85 Nos.) on sanitation and hygiene,
(2) Distributed “Reusable Sanitary kits” to Class 9 and 10 female students,
(3) Contribute books to the library and School Bags to the selected students.
Nepal SBI Bank Ltd. is committed to enhance the capabilities of its existing digital alternate channel products and introduce various other new digital initiatives in Nepal that would enhance its reach and customer base. Many of these digital initiatives are successfully rolled out by the parent bank viz: State Bank of India in India. Nepal SBI expects to benefit from these already tested initiatives of the parent bank in rolling out these initiatives in Nepal.
