The government is set to use the services of over 250,000 banking correspondents of public sector banks to spread the message of the ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign, kickstarted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the hinterland.
The banking correspondents, who are currently engaged in opening zero-balance accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme, would also be asked to participate in the Swachh Bharat campaign.
The issue was also taken up last week when PSB chiefs met finance minister Arun Jaitley.
“Swachh Bharat is one of the most important (schemes) and banks, which have a presence in the remotest areas, would play a crucial role in spreading the message. Banking correspondents are in the best position to do a direct marketing exercise of the same as they are meeting people every day to expand the PMJDY,” a chairman of a bank who was present in the meeting but did not want to be identified told HT.
The government banks, with mammoth branch network, may also be asked to adopt villages in order to improve the level of sanitation there by providing toilets and drinking water facilities, sources said.
{{/usCountry}}The government banks, with mammoth branch network, may also be asked to adopt villages in order to improve the level of sanitation there by providing toilets and drinking water facilities, sources said.
{{/usCountry}}Several celebrities including film personalities have already endorsed this campaign and are actively promoting it.