Apathy of business correspondents of banks- a study in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka

The RBI in 2006 issued a set of guidelines allowing banks to employ business correspondents to carry out transactions on behalf of the bank as agents. The progress in information communication technologies (ICT) has enabled the banks in managing the transactions from remotely located offices. The RBI from time to time has been issuing policies and guidelines to the banks in managing business correspondents. Supporting the efforts of RBI, even the Ministry of Finance under the Govt. of India, has been making untiring efforts to make the banks to reach the remote unbanked areas with its mantra of Financial Inclusion.

The business correspondents have been providing yeomen's service to the rural community. However, they have been facing a lot of problems and difficulties while providing their good services to the community. The proposed study focuses on the problems and difficulties faced by Business Correspondents. This study is conducted in some of the rural pockets of Dakshina Kannada by visiting the place of individual business correspondents and interviewing them through questionnaire method. The study brings out the various problems faced by Business Correspondents which need the attention of the Central Government, the Reserve Bank of India and the Concerned Bank branches as well.