Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government seems to have taken seriously the bizarre incident of a daugter dragging her 100 year old mother to bank for withdrawal of Janadhan money.
“It has been observed there are occasions when banks discourage or turn away senior citizens and differently abled persons from availing banking facilities in branches,” the Odisha government’s finance department has stated.
Citing the Reserve Bank of India’s detailed guideline for banking transaction of senior citizens and differently abled persons, the finance department has directed the banks to treat senior citizens and differently and infirm persons with all care.
” In view of difficulties faced by senior citizens and differently abled or infirm persons (having medically certified chronic illness or disability) including these who are visually impaired, banks are advised to make concerted effort to provide basic banking facility such as delivery of cash against withdrawal from account, pick up of cash and instruments against receipt, delivery of demand drafts”, directed the finance department. Similarly, the bank’s have been advised to facilitate collections of KYC document and life certificates from the account holders residence.
“Due to the outbreak of Corona Virus pandemic, senior citizens are facing hardship of withdrawal of cash. Senior citizens are advised to stay at home. Hence all banks and business correspondents attached by controlling heads for providing basic banking facility to the senior and differently abled persons at their door steps during Corona virus pandemic on all working days. No service charge shall be imposed for such financial transactions at the doorstep of senior citizens and differently abled/impaired persons.” Principal Secretary, Finance Ashok Meena has urged upon the heads of different banks of the State to strictly adhere to the guideline issued by Reserve Bank of India.
