Kerala becomes the first fully digital banking state in the nation
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Saturday that the state had become the first in the nation to completely digitise its banking system. He added that this distinction would help the state's economy. At a gathering held here, Vijayan claimed that this accomplishment was made possible by social interventions made by institutions of local self-government, as well as by the growth of infrastructure and technology advancements in the banking industry.
"I would like to congratulate everyone who worked behind this and declare Kerala as the first fully digital banking state in the country," Vijayan said.
"In order to make the digital services universally accessible, we need to ensure that the digital divide is completely eliminated," he added.
The Chief Minister also said the ambitious Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project of the state government, which was almost 90 per cent completed, will reduce the digital divide.
"The K-FON will ensure internet facility to everyone in the state and a 17,155 km-long optic fibre cable network has been laid. Once the project gets completed, the internet will be available to everyone in the state either for a cheaper price or for free of cost," Vijayan said.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also pointed out that Kerala received three 'Digital India' awards today for its advancement in the digital sector.
"We received a silver medal for the Ksheerashree portal, the platinum award for Digital Workforce Management System and a gold medal for District Administration of Kottayam," Vijayan said.
He also warned the people to remain vigilant about the rise in cyber crimes that may increase in the banking sector with its advancement.
"The government has created an Economic Offences Wing in the state police to tackle such cyber crimes," he added.
State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) convenor S Premkumar, RBI Regional Director Thomas Mathew, and NABARD Chief General Manager Gopakumaran Nair G, among others, also attended the event.
With PTI inputs