DHAKA: State-owned Janata Bank is set to launch a savings scheme to attain economic prosperity of the low-income people.

First of its kind by the bank, the ‘small savings project at home’ scheme will be introduced in Tongi.

The project will serve the low-income people and make them free from the trap of high interest-taker usurers and other loan provider institutions.

The beneficiaries would not require to visiting the bank for deposit, but a bank-appointed collector will visit from door to door for collection. The customers will be notified via SMS through mobile phone.

Each time, the client will get the opportunity to have savings from Tk 100 to 5000. If, at least Tk 3000 is deposited in the account of the client, the account will be credited 4% to 6.5% per annum.

The clients will enjoy loan facilities with soft conditions if the accounts show Tk 5000 deposited. Farmer, potter, fisherman, weaver, jobholder, garment or industry laborer, rickshaw-puller, student, housewife including adult man and woman can open account under this project.

Dr Jillur Rahman, DMD and designer of the project, said “As part of building Digital Bangladesh and ensuring highest use of information technology, the project aims to ameliorate the economic condition of the poor.”

Abul Barkat, chairman of the bank, will inaugurate the project on Thursday.

BDST: 1700 HRS, JULY 28, 2010