KOCHI: District collector Muhammad Y Safirulla has asked banks to store more currency in view of the X’mas-New Year festival season and the increased flow of tourists. While addressing a district level bankers’ review meeting here on Monday, Mr. Safirulla said that nearly one lakh tourists were expected to visit the city during the year-end to witness the biennale and carnival. “Banks should set up more mobile ATMs and enough currency should be ensured at banks and ATMs.” He also stressed the need to conduct extensive awareness programmes on digital banking among the public to achieve a cashless economy.
“Demontesation has resulted in serious crises in areas like Perumbavoor where migrant labourers are mainly employed. Plywood factory operators are not familiar with digital transactions and they are unable to disburse workers’ wages and settle payment for raw materials. They should be given training on digital banking,” he said. However, the meeting observed that compared to other states, the post-demonetisation situation in Kerala was much better. Reserve Bank of India area general manager C. Joseph, lead bank (Union ba-nk) manager C. Satheesh, NABARD area general manager Ashok Kumar Nayyar and officials various government department and representatives of other banks also attended the meeting.
