Banks in Delhi flout RBI rules, demand both ID, address proof
2 March 2013 6:26 AM IST
Despite the clear directions of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to accept one document for both identity and address proof if it bears address of the applicant and accept only self declaration to transfer account from one branch to another, the banks in Delhi and NCR insist on separate documents for identity and address proof. Further, self declaration of address frowned upon by the banks.
‘A significant population in the Delhi and NCR towns are migrant and live in rented accommodation. Opening an account for them in any bank is tough task for them due to unsympathetic and indifferent attitude of the bank staff,’ said Jayashree Gupta, a retired bureaucrat who now president of Consumers India, an NGO working for the welfare of consumers.
Based on her recent research regarding the problems faced by the consumers while opening a new account, she had sent some recommendations to Reserve Bank of India, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Finance Minister. In response to her recommendations, RBI changed some norms of opening bank account and also directed the banks through Indian Banks Association for sensitising banks and increase training efforts for the staff, so as to bring attitudinal changes.
The regulator of banks has directed the banks to accept the utility bills (electricity bill) of relative with his declaration that he knows the applicant. ‘Banks can use any supplementary evidence such as a letter received through post for further verification of the address,’ said a RBI letter issued on 13 February.
‘I produced my voter identity card with Sahibabad branch of Punjab National Bank (PNB) just to convert my student account into savings account but bank officers refused the application,’ said Sanju Mishra, a Sahibabad resident.
‘I had to produce a copy of my pan card and rent agreement to get the work done,’ added Mishra.
It’s worthwhile to mention that she had the student account in the same bank for more than five years now.
The reporter himself had a first hand experience of unsympathetic behaviour of the bank staff when he tried to transfer his bank account in PNB at sector 18 in Noida to his present address by producing a rent agreement. But the account had to be closed permanently as all the efforts failed.
RBI has also made a provision of ‘small account’ for poor and illiterate people who migrate to simplify the produce but banks hardly use it. As per the provision, small account can be opened on production of a self-attested photograph and affixation of signature or thumb print.
‘We will conduct a research on the implementation of the directions issued by RBI to banks,’ added Gupta.
‘A significant population in the Delhi and NCR towns are migrant and live in rented accommodation. Opening an account for them in any bank is tough task for them due to unsympathetic and indifferent attitude of the bank staff,’ said Jayashree Gupta, a retired bureaucrat who now president of Consumers India, an NGO working for the welfare of consumers.
Based on her recent research regarding the problems faced by the consumers while opening a new account, she had sent some recommendations to Reserve Bank of India, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Finance Minister. In response to her recommendations, RBI changed some norms of opening bank account and also directed the banks through Indian Banks Association for sensitising banks and increase training efforts for the staff, so as to bring attitudinal changes.
The regulator of banks has directed the banks to accept the utility bills (electricity bill) of relative with his declaration that he knows the applicant. ‘Banks can use any supplementary evidence such as a letter received through post for further verification of the address,’ said a RBI letter issued on 13 February.
‘I produced my voter identity card with Sahibabad branch of Punjab National Bank (PNB) just to convert my student account into savings account but bank officers refused the application,’ said Sanju Mishra, a Sahibabad resident.
‘I had to produce a copy of my pan card and rent agreement to get the work done,’ added Mishra.
It’s worthwhile to mention that she had the student account in the same bank for more than five years now.
The reporter himself had a first hand experience of unsympathetic behaviour of the bank staff when he tried to transfer his bank account in PNB at sector 18 in Noida to his present address by producing a rent agreement. But the account had to be closed permanently as all the efforts failed.
RBI has also made a provision of ‘small account’ for poor and illiterate people who migrate to simplify the produce but banks hardly use it. As per the provision, small account can be opened on production of a self-attested photograph and affixation of signature or thumb print.
‘We will conduct a research on the implementation of the directions issued by RBI to banks,’ added Gupta.
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