Not many takers for PM’s social security schemes in M’laya

SHILLONG: The three social security schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9, 2015 – Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana – have generated lukewarm response from people in Meghalaya.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, State Bank of India (DGM), Deepak Lala informed that in Meghalaya 47,358 applications were received for the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, 11,820 applications for the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, while the Atal Pension Yojana has drawn 445 applications so far.
Explaining the low key interest shown by bank customers in the State, Lala said private banks have not been active in drawing customers towards the three schemes unlike the SBI.
Informing that most of the applications received in Meghalaya for the schemes have come through the SBI, the DGM stressed on the need for private banks to pull up their socks and approach people to apply for the three social security schemes.
The official further said that SBI would organise awareness programmes in rural areas of the State to make people aware of the schemes.
SBI has set a target of opening as many as 5.5 lakh accounts for the people under the three schemes.