BORIVILI, NOVEMBER 20, 2010: The workshop on financial inclusion at Bosco Boys Home, Borivili resulted in eighty applications for PAN cards being submitted by the marginalized youth undergoing vocational training at the institution. Of these, sixty applicants received their Pan cards, which will now serve as identity proof while seeking employment in different companies. According to these youth, producing PAN cards to employers have not only helped them prove their identity but have also helped them to obtain job offers.
The “Connect All India” network of Don Bosco Research Centre is adhering to its aim of helping out more underprivileged by connecting them to the various instruments of Financial and Social Inclusion.
To popularize the concept in rural Maharashtra a meeting was organized at Bosco Yuva Pratisthan, Karjat. Various NGOS working with the rural population participated and were made aware of the different social and financial inclusion instruments like PAN Card, no frills bank accounts, pension plans and so on. A practical demonstration of operations and the correct way of filling up forms was part of this workshop. The importance of financial and social inclusion of the poor and the benefits for the NGOs was clarified during the question answer round. The workshop concluded with a plan for administrative convenience and the sustainability of the model.
Following up with the previous meeting on PAN Card application in Lonavla in the month of October, many villagers from Thakerwadi and Pangloli have applied for PAN cards to gain valid Government identity proof.
Along with collaboration with various nationalized banks, the Centre has also been approached by Corporation Bank of India with a proposal for issuing no frill accounts to the beneficiaries through the use of “Connect All India” network.