Problems in opening bank a/cs being addressed: FinMin

In the backdrop of complaints from states that people are facing difficulties in opening bank accounts using Aadhaar card, the Finance Ministry said on Friday the issue is being addressed through organising mass camps for the purpose.

"States' concerns were very valid that account opening is difficult, which we admit that there is difficultly. So the idea would be to admit the problem and then find a solution.

We are going ahead with that," Financial Services Secretary D K Mittal said in New Delhi.

He said that the Central government in association with state governments and banks are trying to address the issue by various means, including organising mass camps to help people open bank accounts.

Mittal was talking to reporters after meeting of Finance Minister P Chidambaram with Northern states and Union Territory of Chandigarh along with heads of select public

sector banks and financial institutions.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told reporters problems faced by people in opening bank account using the unique identity card Aadhaar was raised by most of the chief ministers in the meeting.

Union Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena said, among other things, issues related with bank branches were raised at the meeting.

Meena informed that more branches would be opened in unbanked areas of Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Mittal said issue was raised on how Aadhaar could be made as an instrument for account opening identification without hassles.

"We as the Government of India is committed to that. Aadhaar is a Know Your Customer for no-frills account. That is happening," he said.

However, for normal accounts Aadhaar will be only one of the identifications. There will be other identification proof as specified by the RBI which are valid.