Tura: Rajabala town in the plain belt region of West Garo Hills district has established its first and only ATM machine of a bank on Wednesday morning.
Parliamentary Secretary and local MLA of Rajabala, Ashahel D Shira inaugurated the ATM machine of the State Bank of India.
The ATM at Rajabala is the first and only facility in Garo Hills to provide a minimum withdrawal of fifty rupees which is expected to benefit the poorer sections of society.
Speaking at the inaugural program, Ashahel D Shira said that it is a red letter day for Rajabala and its people.
“Earlier the people of Rajabala had to go all the way to Hallidayganj, 10 to 12 kms away, to use an ATM service. Now the banking service is avalable at your doorstep. Make full use of it,” said Shira.
“Other places people can withdraw a minimum of only a hundred rupees. Here you can take out fifty rupees which is good for the people,” added Shira.
The ATM is expected to benefit the 10-15000 account holders of Rajabala SBI branch. It will also cover Rajabala, Selsella and bordering hamlets of Assam, said branch manager Ajit Singh.
He also pointed out that the provision to withdraw a small denomination would help to check fake currency circulation.
The Rajabala branch of SBI was established way back in 1983 and is the only banking institute in the area.
Happy with the establishment of the ATM, senior citizens of the town such as Nripen Dutta, principal of Chokchokia high school, and Rafiat Zaman said it would do away with having to visit the bank regularly to withdraw cash.
“Earlier we had to wait in long queues at the bank every first week of the month to withdraw our salaries and pension,” recalled Dutta who is an account holder.
Community hall inauguration
Later in the afternoon Rajabala MLA Ashahel Shira also inaugurated a newly constructed community hall for the people of Ketkipara. The community hall has been constructed from the MLA Scheme at a cost of Rs.3,85,150.