ZCCI dismayed with SBI ‘step-motherly treatment’

Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ZCCI) has expressed dismay over ‘step-motherly treatment’ and neglect by the SBI authority and the poor functioning of two SBI branches in Zunheboto town (main branch and bazaar branch).
ZCCI president Shikahoto Jakha said after thorough enquiry many “loopholes and irregularities’ were unearthed. He said poor functioning of the SBI caused inconveniences to the public and business community in Zunheboto town and the district at large.
Lamenting that the entire district had only two ATM booths, ZCCI president pointed out that Mokukchung town alone had around 8-11 ATM booths. When contacted SBI Zunheboto officials, it was learnt that Zunheboto main branch has the highest transaction, branch-wise next only to Dimapur and Kohima.
SBI bazaar branch Zunheboto was inaugurated 4-5 months ago but the ATM booth service was yet to be availed by the public. “The reason is best known to the Regional SBI higher-ups in Mokukchung or Kohima,” ZCCI said and sought reasons as to why Zunheboto has been deprived of the lowest basic services.
Two SBI ATMs at Satakha and Zunheboto functioned inconsistently and had been locked down since the past seven to ten days respectively.
According to ZCCI president, other factor that caused highest rush and inconveniences to both the SBI staff and general public was the presence Aghunato branch. The SBI Aghunato branch has been attached with Zunheboto branch though they shared separate floors under one roof, said ZCCI president.
Largely populated areas such as Atoizu and Suruhuto have no SBI branch and sub-divisions such as Pughoboto and Akuluto have SBI branches but no ATMs.
Asserting these grievances have gripped the Zunheboto district general public and the business community particularly, the ZCCI has therefore urged the responsible authority to intervene at the earliest and stop “step-motherly” treatment since Zunheboto district has been tormented enough.
Meanwhile, the Zunheboto Range Students Union (ZRSU) has also highlighted the plight of the public especially the student community with regard to the rush at the Bank and poor SBI ATM services.
In a press release, ZRSU president Bob Inaho Achumy stated that the union had an emergency executive meeting concerning the plight and grievances of students in Zunheboto.
At the meeting, poor banking and ATM services was discussed, stated the release.
According to ZRSU, public mostly from the rural village areas were the most affected due to the poor banking system. Some people get stranded at Zunheboto town for days just for a single transaction, lamented ZRSU.
The union has affirmed to extend solidarity to ZCCI, adding that it was the apex and appropriate authority as it involved the trade, commerce and transactions concerning the Zunheboto district.