National Savings has got a
portfolio of roughly three trillion rupees. Its offices are spread throughout
Pakistan. But so far only 90 of its branches have been automated. These are some
of the small branches. Service in the large branches is poor and inadequate.
The Gulberg branch of Federal-B Area is one of the largest branches. Daily about
200 to 300 investors attend the branch to collect profit against the Bahbood
Pensioners' Benefit Scheme. There are seating arrangements for hardly 40 people.
The rest remain standing.
All of them are above 60 years of age, suffering from various ailments. But who
cares? When the cashier is absent, nobody else at the branch knows how to handle
cash. The director-general, National Savings, lives in a posh bungalow in the
hills of Islamabad. He never feels the need to visit the branch to interact with
the investors waiting there. When the branch opens at 9am, there is so much
hullabaloo that it resembles a fish market. Banks, in general, remain open
throughout Pakistan up to 5pm. However, surprisingly this branch closes at
1.30pm and the doors are locked at 11.30am for fresh arrivals.
To improve its working, it is suggested that at least three more counters are
set up so that, till such time it is completely computerised, four investors can
be served simultaneously. Besides, working hours should be extended up to 5pm.
Last but not least, there should be at least one counter with a woman cashier
for dealing with women only.I am sure the director-general is not waiting for
two or three old, weak and frail investors to die in the lounge of the branch.
After all, railway pensioners got a better deal after the death of a pensioner.
Investors need a shaded area where they can comfortably wait for the branch to
open at 9am. Besides, they also need water and toilet facilities both inside, as
well as outside, the branch.
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