BANI , APRIL 24:A formal request has been submitted to the Jammu & Kashmir government seeking the establishment of J&K Bank branches along with ATMs in three remote locations of the Bani constituency — Lowang, Lohai (Lohai-Malhar), and Duggan. The demand was raised by Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Bani, in a letter addressed to former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dated 22 March 2025.The letter highlights the severe inconvenience faced by locals due to the lack of banking infrastructure in these regions:
Lowang: Located 15 km from Bani on the Bani-Bhaderwah road, Lowang houses several government offices and employees, yet lacks even a basic banking facility.Lohai (Lohai-Malhar): Positioned around 64 km from Billawar, Lohai’s nearest bank branch is 28 km away at Machaedi. With government offices, high schools, and an Indian Army camp present in the area, locals — especially laborers — struggle without nearby banking services.Duggan: Approximately 20 km from Bani town, residents from Duggan and nearby villages like Dhaggar, Dhaman, Dullangal, and Chalog have to travel 20–30 km to access basic banking.In response, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) forwarded the MLA’s request to the Chairman of Jammu & Kashmir Bank on 7 April 2025 for appropriate action. The communication, signed by Reyaz Ahmad Wani, OSD to the Chief Minister, underscores the urgency and necessity of banking access for these underserved areas.The proposed banking units, if approved, are expected to benefit hundreds of government employees, students, and general public across several villages.
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