FACILITY FOR FARMERS: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and K.Ramakrishnan, CMD, Andhra Bank, handing over the first Kisan Vikas ATM Card to M. Alivelu of Nacharam in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Photo: Satish.H.

HYDERABAD: Andhra Bank on Tuesday made all its credit cards given to farmers for crop loans ATM-compatible under the new name "Andhra Bank Kisan Vikas Cards".

They were launched by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in the presence of Ministers K. Rosaiah (Finance) and N. Raghuveera Reddy (Agriculture) and bank Chairman-cum-Managing Director K. Ramakrishnan and a large number of farmers in Lalitha Kala Thoranam here. With this, the four lakh-odd farmers sanctioned crop loans can draw money at any of its 390 ATMs and thousands of other banks ATMs tied up with Andhra Bank. Dr. Reddy handed over the first card to M. Alivelu, a farmer of Nacharam, near here, who then withdrew money from a mobile ATM parked beside the dais.

The Chief Minister went round the stalls put up by self-help groups (SHG) aided by the bank and distributed awards to best farmers and SHGs for prompt repayment.

The cards issued free of cost are valid for three years and are renewable. Andhra Bank has set itself a target to cover 75 lakh farmers this year through the cards.

The Chief Minister asked for more bank branches and ATMs in the rural areas. He recalled efforts of Indira Gandhi in nationalising banks and opening their doors to the poor. He asked other banks to emulate the Andhra Bank model, and wanted farmers to repay loans promptly.

Kalyan Mukherjee, Executive Director of the bank, proposed a vote of thanks.

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