Lucknow.Data raising concerns regarding the accessibility of banking services have emerged in many aspirational and backward districts of Uttar Pradesh. According to the latest report of the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC), in the last two years there has been a decline of about 30 percent in the number of ATMs available per one lakh population in the eight aspirational districts of the state. On the other hand, the number of debit card holders has increased continuously during the same period.
ATM network reduced in eight districts
According to the report, in districts like Bahraich, Balrampur, Chandauli, Chitrakoot, Fatehpur, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar and Sonbhadra, 6.74 ATMs per 1 lakh population were available during March 2024, which reduced to 4.74 by March 2026.
This decline has been recorded at a time when the need for banking services in these areas is continuously increasing.
Increase in the number of debit card holders
While the ATM network has shrunk, the number of debit card users has registered an increase.
According to the report, the number of debit card holders per one lakh population in these districts has increased from 39,227 to 43,985.
The total number of debit cards across the state has increased to 12.15 crore.
Developed districts got more benefits
At the state level, ATM density per 1 lakh population has increased from 9.18 to 9.32, but the benefits have been limited mainly to developed districts.
There are 79.61 ATMs available per one lakh population in Gautam Buddha Nagar, which is the highest in the state.
Whereas in Shravasti this number has been recorded at only 2.68, in Banda 3.17 and in Bahraich 3.35 ATMs per one lakh population.
Cash banking services still a challenge in rural areas
The report indicates that access to cash banking services still remains a major challenge in rural and backward areas. Due to lack of ATM network, people in these areas may have to travel additional distances for cash withdrawal and other banking services.
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