NABH Integrates Fogsi's Maternal HEealth Standards Across Its Certificate Programs

* The MoU signed in 2022 has progressed and culminated in the subsumption of FOGSI-led Manyata initiative’s 20 quality standards across NABH’s Certification programs

The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) has integrated The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI)’s Manyata maternal health quality standards across NABH Certification programs. This move, forms part of a strategic collaboration inked in 2022 between NABH and FOGSI, to improve the quality of maternity services and advance the Indian government’s vision of ‘One Nation One Standard’. By promoting standardization in maternal healthcare through the adoption of uniform standards nationwide, the collaboration will drive systemic improvements and contribute to efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.

Manyata is FOGSI’s flagship quality improvement and certification initiative that acts as a stamp of quality ensuring consistent, safe, and respectful care for mothers during and after childbirth. It promotes the adoption of evidence-based clinical standards based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards of quality care in maternal health for antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care.

To launch the collaboration, a pilot program was conducted where 200 private maternity facilities trained on Manyata standards were assessed by NABH assessors, who were specifically onboarded and trained for this purpose by FOGSI. The pilot results showed consistent certification success rates whether facilities were assessed by FOGSI or NABH assessors. Moving forward, facilities pursuing NABH Entry-Level certification will be able to achieve dual certifications for NABH and Manyata, validating their compliance with both national healthcare standards and specialized maternity care protocols, with the NABH HOPE portal providing a digital platform for application processing and assessments. Additionally, leveraging its network, FOGSI will identify assessors who will be trained by NABH to create a dedicated pool of NABH assessors specializing in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Reflecting on the announcement, Mr Rizwan Koita, Chairman of NABH said, “Uniform standards are crucial for ensuring that every mother receives consistent care, regardless of where she delivers. By incorporating Manyata guidelines into NABH certification programs, we are not only strengthening our accreditation framework, but also setting a new benchmark for maternal health. This standardization will play a vital role in transforming maternal care across India.  In addition, NABH will incorporate maternal health guidelines into NABH Digital Health Standards for Hospitals and HIS/EMR Systems engaged in mother and childcare.”

Dr Madhuri Patel, Secretary General, FOGSI said, “With 1.3 million Indian women having lost their lives to maternal causes over the past two decades, and despite a 70% overall decline in maternal mortality rates, there is a need to accelerate the progress. To achieve the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and realize universal health coverage, we must deepen our resolve to bolstering healthcare systems. By harnessing the power of collaborations we can standardize care protocols, improve service delivery, and create sustainable solutions that enhance maternal healthcare accessibility”.

Dr. Hrishikesh D. Pai, Trustee, FIGO Asia Oceania, Immediate Past President, FOGSI, and Chief Administrator, FOGSI-Manyata initiative, remarked, “The collaboration between FOGSI and NABH represents a pivotal step towards fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and patient-centric care in the private healthcare sector. We are dedicated to building on this success and broadening the impact of the initiative. It will not only encourage wider adoption of best practices but also forge a path towards a future where every childbirth experience is safe, supported and dignified.”

Dr Rishma Pai, Former President, FOGSI said, “By embedding Manyata's comprehensive protocols into NABH’s certification guidelines, we aim to create a robust, unified system that elevates the quality of maternal care across the board. Expanding access to quality healthcare and standardizing the care delivered is not merely a goal but a moral imperative- one that will ensure the safety of every mother and child who visit these facilities.”

Preventable maternal deaths continue to be a significant concern in India. The announcement promises a welcome step towards addressing the issue. Establishing standardized care protocols in the healthcare sector is critical to enhance the delivery of maternal care in India, helping achieve better health outcomes.

Additional quotes from key stakeholders, who are not present in the room but have shared their perspectives, are included below:

Dr Atul Mohan Kochhar, CEO of NABH said “The integration of Manyata’s standards into our accreditation process marks a transformative step toward enhancing safe maternal healthcare. This collaboration allows us to align our efforts with FOGSI's expertise, ensuring that accredited hospitals meet comprehensive maternal health protocols. Our aim is to create a sustainable model for quality accreditation that benefits mothers and newborns nationwide.”

Dr Hema Divakar, National Convener, FOGSI-Manyata initiative said, “This announcement reflects FOGSI and NABH’s shared vision of ensuring that every mother, regardless of her circumstances, receives the compassionate and exceptional care she deserves. Through a joint Technical Working Group, with members from FOGSI and NABH, we are working to streamline the quality standards to ensure they represent an ideal blend of infrastructure and labor room compliance, serving the best interests of mothers and newborns. This strategic alignment not only reinforces our commitment to patient safety and clinical excellence but also highlights the benefits of a unified approach to delivering high-quality, standardized care.”

About The Quality Council of India (QCI)

Quality Council of India (QCI) was established as a National body for Accreditation on recommendations of Expert Mission of EU after consultations in Inter-ministerial Task Force, Committee of Secretaries and Group of Ministers through a Cabinet decision in 1996. Accordingly, QCI was set up through a PPP model as an independent autonomous organization with the support of Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry associations, (i) Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), (ii) Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and (iii) Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). 

About National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)

National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a constituent board of Quality Council of India, set up to establish and operate accreditation programme for healthcare organisations. the board is structured to cater to much desired needs of the consumers and to set benchmarks for progress of health industry. The board while being supported by all stakeholders including industry, consumers, government, have full functional autonomy in its operation.

About The Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI)

The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) is the professional organization representing practitioners of obstetrics and gynaecology in India. With 275 member societies and over 43,011 individual members spread over the length and breadth of the country, FOGSI is probably one of the largest membership-based organizations of specialized professionals. FOGSI exists to encourage and disseminate knowledge, education, and research in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, to pilot and promote preventive and therapeutic services related to the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology for the betterment of the health of women and children in particular and the wellbeing of the community in general, to advocate the cause of reproductive health and rights and to support and protect the interest of practitioners of obstetrics and gynaecology in India.

About Manyata

Manyata is FOGSI's flagship initiative to improve the quality of private maternity care for women in low- and middle-income categories in India. This initiative is supported by MSD for Mothers. It is a quality improvement (training) and certification program that acts as a stamp of quality ensuring consistent, safe, and respectful care for mothers during and after childbirth. The program promotes the adoption and practice of 20 clinical standards in line with World Health Organization (WHO) standards for antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care. Currently, Manyata is present in 25 states/UTs with planned expansion to other states. In Maharashtra, the program runs as a joint initiative between the Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra and FOGSI, and is called LaQshya-Manyata with additional 10 Facility standards in line with national standards of care.

The initiative is led by Dr Hema Divakar, National Convenor, Manyata; Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Trustee, FIGO Asia Oceania, Chief Administrator, FOGSI-Manyata Initiative; and Dr Ameya Purandare, Deputy Administrator, FOGSI-NPMU and managed by Dr Samita Bhardwaj, National Program Manager, FOGSI-NPMU. The National Program Management Unit (NPMU) constituted under FOGSI is responsible for quality assurance, training of trainers and accreditation of lead assessors, who evaluate private facilities on standards and recommend them for certification. In Maharashtra, this assessment is jointly undertaken by FOGSI and Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra.

Hyundai Motor India Limited Announces 2024 Edition of ‘Hyundai Always Around’ Campaign

*  Hyundai Motor India Limited launches ‘Hyundai Always Around’ campaign to offer seamless Sales, Service, and Exchange solutions to its customers and prospects

*  The day-long event across India on November 17, 2024, Sunday, presents exclusive offers and services to customers at no additional charge

*  “Aisi Care Nowhere”  is a unique initiative to strengthen Hyundai’s commitment to Customer Centricity

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), India’s smart mobility solutions provider, announces the 2024 edition of ‘Hyundai Always Around’ campaign - a customer centric initiative aimed at enhancing ownership experience. This one-day nationwide customer outreach program is scheduled on November 17, 2024, Sunday, for both - existing and prospective customers.

Commenting on this unique customer centric initiative, Mr. Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer - HMIL, said, “At Hyundai Motor India Limited, customer centricity is a core value, and the 'Hyundai Always Around’ campaign is an off-shoot of the same. This unique initiative aims to raise the bar of customer engagement higher by focusing on providing seamless experience, building trust, and fostering long-term relationships with our customers. It echoes our customer-centric approach, delivering unparalleled convenience and reinforcing our unmatched brand promise.”

Customers can get their old car evaluated and book a new Hyundai vehicle at a camp near them. Skilled Hyundai technicians will be advising the customers on upcoming service requirements, customized for their Hyundai vehicles post a complimentary 18-point check-up.

Customers and prospects can take test drives of multiple vehicles from the Hyundai portfolio. Various engagement activities have also been curated wherein the customers stand a chance to win 20% off on Accessories, Free Car Wash, 50% off on Wheel Alignment and Balancing, 20% off on PMS Labour billing, 30% off on interior cleaning and exterior enrichment, besides scratch cards for a chance to win upto INR 10,000 worth of accessories (valid for select models). Also, there are special offers for customers on downloading myHyundai App. One can contact their nearest Hyundai dealership to know more.

Yashoda Group Partners With Medtronic To Revolutionize Patient Care With Advanced Surgical Robotics

Yashoda Group of Hospitals, a premier multi-specialty and super-specialty hospital with 800+ beds in Ghaziabad, Delhi-NCR, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Medtronic, a global leader in healthcare technology to expand its capabilities for robotic-assisted surgery. Through this collaboration, the Yashoda Group designates Medtronic as its Preferred Robotics Partner and will integrate Medtronic's advanced robotic systems across its hospitals and also partner for surgical robotics training programs.

The surgical robot Hugo Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS), already installed in Yashoda Group’s Sanjay Nagar unit, is being used to facilitate surgeons in performing complex surgeries with precision and ease. With the expansion of the surgical robotics program, Yashoda Group is poised to achieve a new milestone that will revolutionize the way surgeries are performed.

Robotic surgery, with its advantages over conventional open and laparoscopic surgeries such as faster recovery time, lesser blood loss, reduced chances of infection, shorter hospitalization, and the ability to perform the most complicated surgeries, is fast becoming the need of the hour.

“This is a historic moment for not just Yashoda but also the whole country. With the expansion of our robotics surgery system capability, we are determined to bring the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to more patients and advance surgical robotics in India’’ said Dr. Dinesh Arora, Chairman, Yashoda Group of Hospitals.

Medtronic's Hugo RAS is a cutting-edge robotic-assisted surgery solution featuring an open console, modular arms, and a universal system tower. Its best-in-class vision system allows surgeons to view minute anatomical details. The rotation multiplier aids in fast suturing, while the tilt feature and pistol grip controllers enhance motion range and ease of complex procedures, minimizing complications. Hugo is integrated with Touch Surgery™?, which safely records and stores surgical data, accessible from anywhere, anytime.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was a momentous occasion, graced by the presence of distinguished dignitaries and key stakeholders from both the Yashoda Group of Hospitals and Medtronic. The event took place at the Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital & Cancer Institutes in Ghaziabad, underscoring the importance of this strategic partnership.

Rajit Kamal, Global Vice President & General Manager, Surgical Robotics, Medtronic, "With nearly 70% of surgeries in India still performed as open procedures, our partnership with Yashoda Group is crucial for transforming surgical care. By leveraging the RAS system, we aim to revolutionize surgical practices and reduce barriers to minimally invasive surgery. This collaboration underscores our global commitment to advancing healthcare where innovation is needed most."

Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director and Vice President of Medtronic India, stated, "Medtronic is pleased to partner with Yashoda Group to advance robotic-assisted surgery across India. This collaboration combines our surgical expertise with the innovative Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system, leveraging data analytics and AI to redefine Medtech. We are committed to our mission of impacting lives by providing advanced surgical care and improving patient outcomes."

"This partnership will not only benefit our doctors but also those from other healthcare institutions. With this collaboration, the Yashoda Group will be able to train aspiring doctors across the country who are eager to gain proficiency in robotic surgery," stated Dr. Rajat Arora, Group Director, Yashoda Group of Hospitals.

About Medtronic:

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems

facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit www.Medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

Uber introduces Features To Make Driver Experience Safer, Easier & Fairer

*      New features and initiatives to elevate experience for million plus drivers in India

*      Rolls out incentive for eShram registration to accelerate push for social security

Uber today unveiled a suite of new features aimed at enhancing the daily experiences of its drivers in India, focusing on safety, fairness, and ease of use.

Uber has more than 1 million monthly active drivers in India who depend on the platform for flexible earning opportunities. The new features and app improvements have been introduced to improve the every day experience of drivers in a way that makes driving with the platform rewarding and fulfilling.

In support of the government's Code on Social Security (CoSS), which seeks to provide a safety net for gig workers, Uber announced promotion of registrations on the e-Shram portal—a unified database for gig workers and unorganised workers. To encourage participation and accelerate registrations, Uber is offering cash incentives to the first 10,000 drivers who register on the portal.

Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India & South Asia, said, “We take pride in being the platform of choice for over a million drivers in India. Our north star is to be the best platform in the world for flexible work, and raise the bar further on the Uber experience. The updates announced today empower drivers, enhance their safety, and offer greater convenience with more transparency in their everyday operations."

Key enhancements based on driver feedback:

Enhanced Safety Measures

Helmet Selfie | Industry-first

The feature prompts two-wheeler drivers to take a quick selfie with their helmet on before starting a trip, ensuring they’re protected while on the road. Using advanced, real-time verification technology, this feature prevents drivers from logging in without a helmet, reinforcing Uber’s commitment to safety and supporting the government’s vision for safer roads. Currently in the final testing stage, Helmet Verification is set to roll out nationwide early next year.

Women Rider Preference | Industry-first

Female drivers now have the option to choose to accept only female riders, a feature that is particularly useful during late hours. Introduced based on driver feedback, this optional feature has already enabled over 21,000 trips. It helps female earners prioritise their safety, drive for longer hours, and boost their earnings.

Audio recording | Industry-first

Drivers can now record audio if they feel uncomfortable or concerned about their safety during trips. The encrypted recordings are not accessible to driver or rider, ensuring privacy. Uber does not access the audio unless the driver chooses to submit it as part of a safety report. This feature, compliant with India’s one-party consent law, is available nationwide. It offers peace of mind in situations where drivers may feel vulnerable during a trip.

Easier driving experience

Upfront tipping

Riders facing delays in securing a ride can now add a tip before the trip begins, incentivizing drivers to accept the request promptly. This feature benefits riders by increasing the likelihood of securing a ride and boosts drivers' earnings.

Instant Payments

Uber's updated payment tech enables drivers to instantly cash out earnings giving them complete freedom and control over their hard-earned money. The feature gives them access to their digital earnings within five seconds, offering up to four cash-outs daily—surpassing the industry standard of up to three times a week - making the Uber experience best in class.

Mentorship | Industry-first

New drivers are paired with seasoned mentors—drivers with over 7,000 trips, a 4.8+ rating, and Uber Pro diamond status—who can provide guidance in local languages on app functionality, market understanding, and more. This initiative helps newcomers acclimate to the platform, while mentors receive compensation for their support.

Fairer processes

Earnings Hub

The revamped Earnings Hub provides a transparent, personalised breakdown of drivers’ weekly earnings. Drivers can see that the major chunk of the fares paid by riders goes to them, and understand what portion went to Uber. It also clearly highlights local government taxes and fees and has details on the tips the driver made that are always 100% paid to them.

Deactivation Review Center | Industry-first

This feature allows drivers to view any actions taken on their profiles, understand the reasons, and appeal decisions with supporting evidence. Uber reviews each appeal carefully to change or stay with its decision. To date, over 5,000 drivers have been reinstated following legitimate appeals.

These initiatives reinforce Uber’s dedication to continuous improvement, ensuring that drivers in India experience greater safety, transparency, and convenience. Uber will continue to prioritise driver feedback as it builds the best platform for flexible work.

About Uber

Uber came to India in 2013 with a simple promise: press a button, get a ride. More than 10 years and over 3 billion trips later, we continue to build products to help people get where they need to be. Today, Uber is available across 125 cities in India and has become #IndiaKiRide where people can go where they have to on Moto, Auto, Cars and even Buses - designed for their various intracity and intercity travel needs. With just a swipe on the app we make mobility seamless for millions and support over 1 million Indians making a sustainable income by getting in the driver's seat. We continue to reimagine the way the world moves for the better in ever expanding ways and as we mark our ten-year milestone - we remain committed to keep India Moving Forward.

Tourism Australia And Air India Sign A 3-Year MoU To Boost Visitor Growth From India

Tourism Australia and Air India have today signed a three-year marketing agreement to sustain and drive the positive trend in Indian visitor arrivals to Australia as Air India expands its presence in the market.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tourism Australia and Air India will explore opportunities to jointly undertake and implement marketing activities to showcase Australia’s world-class appeal and drive future growth in visitation.

Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director, of Tourism Australia said, “We have seen tremendous growth in the number of arrivals from India to Australia in recent years and we are keen for arrivals to continue to track in that direction. Tourism Australia’s agreement with Air India highlights our commitment to strengthening partnerships and exploring new ways to encourage Indian travellers to plan and book an Australia holiday. We look forward to working closely with Air India to showcase Australia as a holiday destination.”

Tourism Australia’s Executive General Manager of Eastern Markets and Aviation, Andrew Hogg said, “As one of Australia’s valuable tourism markets, India holds immense promise, and we’re excited to collaborate with Air India to further elevate Australia’s appeal for high-yielding Indian leisure and business travellers. We aim to sustain growth in visitor numbers from India to Australia while enhancing travel experiences and connectivity between the two countries.”

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India said, “We are excited to partner with Tourism Australia to facilitate travellers’ experiences of the unique offerings this destination has to offer. As we broaden our network across the globe, we aim to deepen our presence in Australia as well.”

Air India currently operates 17 weekly non-stop flights connecting India and Australia. In the year to August 2024, the airline transported over 170,000 Indian travellers, securing an 18.5% market share and remains one of the largest carriers of traffic from India to Australia.

About Tourism Australia

Tourism Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for promoting Australia to the world as a destination for business and leisure travel. Tourism Australia’s purpose is to increase the economic benefits of tourism to Australia, and in particular seeking opportunities to grow the overnight annual expenditure generated by tourism. The organisation is active in around 15 key markets, where it aims to grow demand for the destination’s tourism experiences by promoting unique attributes which will entice people to visit. Tourism Australia’s activities include social and digital media, traditional advertising, public relations and media programs, trade shows and programs for the tourism industry, consumer promotions, online communications, and consumer research.

For more information visit www.tourism.australia.com | www.facebook.com/seeaustralia

About Air India

Founded by the legendary JRD Tata, Air India is a pioneer of Indian aviation. Since its first flight in 1932, Air India has built an extensive global network that spans 29 countries across five continents, connecting India with major destinations in USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, Australia, and the Middle East.

After its homecoming in 2022, from the Government of India to the Tata group, Air India embarked on Vihaan.AI, a five-year transformation journey, with a vision to be a global airline with an Indian heart. The first two phases of this transformation, ‘Taxi’ and ‘Take-off’, were focused on fixing the basics and building foundations for growth. The airline has now entered the ‘Climb’ phase, which will focus on achieving excellence in operations and customer experience.

A member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium of leading international airlines, Air India offers seamless connectivity to passengers as a full-service global airline, while its wholly owned subsidiary Air India Express operates as a low-cost airline flying within India and nearby countries.

63% Bengaluru-Based Parents Give Milk To Their Kids To Maintain Intake Of Calcium – Godrej Jersey’s Milk Report

~Pan India, 60% parents prefer the same

As the nation celebrates Children’s Day today, Godrej Jersey carried out a survey amongst the Indian parents to understand their rationale of giving milk to their child. While some highlighted the need to remain fit and weight management in addition to gaining some energy and as a meal replacement, 63% Bengaluru-based parents and 60% parents across the country said that they give milk to their kids to maintain intake of calcium.

Titled ‘Bottoms Up…India Says Cheers to Milk!’ the comprehensive study covering consumer responses from Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata, provides valuable insights into evolving consumer preferences and industry trends. Beyond understanding the parents’ rationale for giving milk to their child, the survey also tried understanding  which milk-based products they prefer for their kid.

Commenting on the findings, Bhupendra Suri, CEO, Godrej Jersey said, “Multiple research studies globally and in India have proven the nutritional value of milk which is good for children. Consisting of high nutritional quality protein, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin A, it is widely an imperative for growing children. Amidst this, it is encouraging to see from our consumer survey on why parents prefer to give milk to their kids.”

Another interesting insight which came from report was that 90% of Indian kids drink milk more than 4-5 times a week and more than 40% of parents were open to consider flavoured milk as a school meal, or for consumption during the day, or more specifically during playtime!

The survey was designed and conducted by YouGov. Creamline Dairy Products Limited, a subsidiary of Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL), a diversified food and agri-business conglomerate of Godrej Group sells the products under the brand name Godrej Jersey.

About Godrej Agrovet

Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL) is a diversified, Research & Development focused food and agri-business conglomerate, dedicated to improving the productivity of Indian farmers by innovating products and services that sustainably increase crop and livestock yields. GAVL holds leading market positions in the different businesses it operates - Animal Feed, Crop Protection, Oil Palm, Dairy, Poultry and Processed Foods. GAVL has a pan India presence with sales of over a million tons annually of high-quality animal feed. Our teams have worked closely with Indian farmers to develop large Oil Palm Plantations, which is helping in bridging the demand and supply gap of edible oil in India. In the crop protection segment, the Company has strong presence in the B2B segment through its subsidiary Astec Lifesciences and through its extensive distribution, network pan-India delivers innovative agrochemical offerings catering to the entire crop life cycles. In Dairy, Poultry, and Processed Foods, the company operates through its subsidiaries Creamline Dairy Products Limited and Godrej Tyson Foods Limited. Apart from this, GAVL also has a joint venture with the ACI group of Bangladesh for animal feed business in Bangladesh.

For more information on the Company, log on to www.godrejagrovet.com.

Fino Bank Launches “Gullak” Account Aimed At Improving Household Savings

*Customers get up to Rs 2 lakh insurance cover on debit card and monthly payout of interest

Having made banking easy, simple and convenient, Fino Payments Bank is now focusing on making customers save more. Continuing its efforts towards creating value for customers, Fino Bank has today announced the launch of a new savings account “Gullak” aimed at improving savings by offering a range of benefits designed to meet the unique needs of customers.

One can open Gullak account at any of Fino Bank’s around 22000 merchant points spread across the state of Karnataka and enjoy the benefits. With a minimal account balance of Rs 1000, Gullak account holders need not pay any annual plan fee, get to make cash deposits without any charges, avail 7 free ATM transactions in non-metro locations and enjoy offers on Rupay debit card. An exciting proposition is the waiver of the minimum account balance on meeting certain criteria. 

These include, five UPI transactions through FinoPay mobile app in a month valued at Rs 500 or booking a one-year Fixed Deposit of at least Rs 5000 issued by Fino’s partner bank or credit of any government welfare scheme benefit in the account. If customers meet any one of the three criteria, then even if the account balance is less than Rs 1000 there will not be any charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance.  

Gullak (Piggy Bank) assumes significance in today’s context where majority of people withdraw all or most of the money from their bank accounts, thereby losing the opportunity to save and invest.

Announcing the launch of Gullak savings account Mr. Rahul Singh, Senior Divisional Head, Fino Payments Bank said, “Customers need to aim towards higher savings to create a corpus for future expenses as well as any emergency requirements, avoiding the need to take loans. Our endeavor with Gullak is to help account holders develop a savings first mindset, with focus on safety and growth. Higher deposits allow customers to earn attractive interest rates going up to 7.75% annually. With a minimum balance of Rs 1000 in the account customers get an instant, Haatho Haath debit card with up to Rs 2 lakh insurance cover along with access to multiple benefits including monthly payout of interest.”

With Gullak savings account Fino Bank aims to target customers with the ability to keep higher balances and value savings based growth. Primarily they could be young professionals, small entrepreneurs, working women as well as self-employed. Customers with the potential to save more than Rs 2 lakhs can do so with Gullak, wherein the excess of Rs 2 lakh gets deposited in a sweep account of a partner bank offering a higher interest rate. With Gullak, Fino’s neighbourhood banking services aim at increased engagement and financial well-being of customers.  

Further, Fino’s neighbourhood points are open for extended hours where any bank’s customer can transact, do deposits, withdrawals, money transfer and access third party products such as life, health, and motor insurance, referral loans, and pay utility bills. #Hamesha!