Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali has entered the telecom sector in alliance with the State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam limited (BSNl) by launching Swadeshi Samridhi SIM cards which entails unlimited call facility with Rs 144 recharge. Along with it, it launched Swadeshi Samridhi Membership Card to further boost its fast- moving consumer good (FMCG) brand. like other chains of consumer retail companies which run convenience stores, Patanjali would also use the concept of “loyalty point” that means some ‘win’ on every purchase with some value additions like life insurance benefit. It is claimed that on Patanjali mobile SIM cards, one would be able with the monthly recharge of Rs 144 to make unlimited calls across the country, get 2 GB data pack per day and send 100 SMSs again per day.
Using the BSNl network involving five lakh counters spread across the country, Patanjali would enable those having Swadeshi Samridhi card to avail discounts on purchases of its products. It would give opportunity to members to earn up to 10% additional benefit on purchasing products from Patanjali exclusive stores.
Notably, the sale volume of Patanjali Ayurved ltd has not shown a significant rise in the previous financial year ending in March 2018 as was earlier announced by Yoga Guru Ramdev who spoke of doubling the turnover every year. The new venture might help the company shore up its annual turnover, the company hopes.
The managing director of Patanjali Ayurved ltd, Acharya Bal Krishna said that the venture is in sync with the digital and cashless transaction as initiated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Things are now at their rudimentary stage. After the documentation formalities are done the SIM and Samridhi cards would be made available initially to the staff members of Patanjali,” he said and added that the Samridhi card would charge Rs 100 as membership fee, including taxes, while the first top- up would be of Rs 1000 and above. The minimum limit a consumer has to maintain for the card is Rs 250. Unlike other retail companies, Patanjali would give benefit of health, accidental and life insurances, said Bal Krishna. For getting financial assistance under Swadeshi Nishtha Sahyog, a member has to purchase items worth Rs 6000 during the last six months (180 days), reads the catalogue.