Kupwara, Jul 18: Residents of Pohrupeth in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have once again urged authorities to establish a Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch in their locality, citing continued difficulties in accessing basic banking services.
Pohrupeth, a densely populated village in the Pohru belt, is primarily dependent on the horticulture sector. Locals say their day-to-day engagement in orchards and related work makes it difficult to travel long distances for routine banking needs.
“Most people here are involved in horticulture and barely have time to visit distant towns for even basic transactions,” said a local resident.
Despite submitting multiple representations to the district administration and receiving assurances from J&K Bank officials about conducting a feasibility survey, residents say the promised groundwork is yet to materialise.
“Pohrupeth is centrally located and connects over fifteen surrounding villages. Setting up a bank here would ease financial operations for the entire belt and encourage economic activity,” said another resident.
Though a branch of Grameen Bank was established in the area about two decades ago, locals say it is inadequate for the region’s growing financial needs and lacks essential facilities such as an ATM.
Dr Sheikh Owais, a local from the area, noted that the absence of a J&K Bank branch has been a long-standing issue. “A full-service bank with ATM access is essential for the convenience of people and the economic upliftment of the region.”
The residents have once again appealed to the J&K Bank management and district authorities to prioritise their demand and take prompt action.
