Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, July 9: Despite surge in positive cases of bank employees, long queues are seen outside branches of J&K bank in Kashmir, posing a serious threat of coronavirus spread.
Government has asked people to maintain social distance to contain the spread of COVID-19.
However, as per the news agency (KINS), the ground situation at many places in Kashmir especially in and outside banks is far from satisfactory as people continue to flout social distancing norms.
“Many J&K Bank employees have been tested positive. 27 have been tested positive at corporate headquarters in Srinagar on Thursday. Besides, cases have also been reported from J&K Bank’s branches at Barzulla, TRC, LD, Handwara, Shopian, Pattan, Magam and various other places,” an official said.
An official in one of the JK Bank branches in Pulwama district said everyone is always in a rush to get inside the bank.
“The beneficiaries of Jan Dhan also visit the banks unnecessary to withdraw the payment of Rs 500 which Centre has announced. They could withdraw this amount through ATMs still they visit banks,” the official said.
Similarly on June 9, J&K Bank issued an order asking branch managers and other concerned officials to ensure employees attend duties on rotation basis.
“Working hours at corporate headquarter zonal offices other offices, corporate head quarter and all zonal offices other offices shall remain functional on all working days with 50 percent of staff strength. Working hours at business units shall remain functional on all working days with 50 percent of staff strength on a 3 day rotation basis,” the order reads.
However, an official said there is rarely any implementation of the order.
“You see banks in Pulwama and Shopian where no such roster is in place. Even people rush to these branches without maintaining any social distance and posing a serious threat of this deadly virus,” the official added.
“I have come to open my account. I know we are posing a threat by not maintaining social distance. But hardly anyone in Pulwama and Shopian is adhering social distance norms in banks,” said Riyaz Ahmad, a resident of Shopian.(KINS)
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