Decision hailed as victory for public voice; move to ease financial access for over 4 lakh residents
Suhail Rather
Bandipora, Aug 1: In a long-awaited administrative step, the Jammu and Kashmir Bank has approved a separate banking cluster for Bandipora district, addressing a persistent public demand and ending what locals had termed as “step-motherly treatment” by the bank’s management.
Member of Legislative Assembly from Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat on Friday made the announcement on social media stating that the consistent follow up has borne the fruits.
Today’s decision was widely welcomed across the district and is being seen as a result of sustained advocacy, particularly by local MLA Nizamuddin Bhat.
“This has been a long-pending demand of the people of Bandipora,” Bhat said, expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and the Chairman of J&K Bank for what he called “a timely and people-centric decision.”
“This decision will reduce the economic hardships of our people and open new financial avenues for youth, SHGs, and entrepreneurs,” he said.
The development comes a year after public outrage over Bandipora branches being aligned with far-off Budgam and Ganderbal administrative zones—forcing residents to travel over 250 km round-trip to process loan files or avail other banking services.
The issue, first reported in August last year, by Kashmir Convener had sparked strong criticism from local business groups and civil society, who accused the bank of ignoring the logistical and financial challenges faced by the district’s population of over four lakh.
Highlighting the concerns then, a local businessman had stated: “Despite Bandipora’s branches performing among the best in the UT with the least number of NPAs, the district was being punished for no reason. All our deposits lie with JK Bank, yet we face step-motherly treatment.”
With the establishment of a dedicated banking cluster, the people of Bandipora—especially those from remote areas like Tulail and Gurez—will no longer need to make multiple arduous trips to Budgam or Ganderbal for file processing and approvals.
The move is expected to streamline banking operations, improve service delivery, and support inclusive economic growth in the district. It also marks a significant moment of administrative decentralization, restoring public faith in institutional responsiveness.
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