SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), aimed at expanding healthcare access and strengthening institutional financial services across Jammu and Kashmir. The MoU was signed by Director SKIMS Prof. Mohammad Ashraf Ganie on behalf of SKIMS and J&K Bank MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee on behalf of J&K Bank Ltd.

Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani among others, were present on the occasion. The agreement brings together the J&K’s premier tertiary-care institution and its leading financial institution to facilitate patient services, employee welfare, financial inclusion and support for healthcare infrastructure.

A key feature of the MoU is the integration of SKIMS’ OPD ticketing and appointment booking system with the Banking Correspondent (BC) network of J&K Bank on a six-month pilot basis. The initiative will enable patients in far-flung and rural areas to obtain SKIMS OPD tickets and appointments locally, reducing the need for them to travel to Srinagar solely for the purpose of booking appointments.

Under the agreement, SKIMS has nominated J&K Bank as a banking partner and extended customized benefits to its regular employees, including zero-balance salary accounts, waiver of specified banking charges, concessional loan rates, auto-sweep facilities among other facilities.

The MoU also provides for dedicated counters at SKIMS for J&K Bank employees, while SKIMS will depute a physician to the Bank’s headquarters once every month to facilitate medical consultations for its staff.

The partnership also envisages greater institutional support for patients and healthcare infrastructure. J&K Bank will prioritize CSR assistance for SKIMS hospital infrastructure and integrate the SKIMS Endowment Fund for poor patients with its Mpay Delight+ mobile application, enabling members of the public to contribute directly towards patient support.

As part of the agreement, J&K Bank will also conduct fully funded digital financial literacy camps for SKIMS personnel and organize quarterly sessions on wealth management.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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