An RBI Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies laid on October 4, 2017 and pertaining to banking facility for senior citizens and differently-abled persons was published on November 9, 2017. It has been observed that there are occasions when banks discourage or turn away senior citizens and differently-abled persons from availing banking facilities in branches. It is imperative to be sensitive to the requirements of theses entities.
RBI had directed banks, particularly in view of the above practice, to put in place appropriate mechanisms such as dedicated counters providing preference to senior and differently-abled persons, ease of submitting life certificate, cheque-book facility, automatic conversion of status of accounts from fully KYC compliant to senior citizen accounts, additional facilities to visually impaired customers and ease of filing Form 15G/H. For these instructions had been issued to banks to provide doorstep banking and ensure other facilities by December 31, 2017.
Seniors citizens and differently-abled persons can download the said circular and approach their own branch to demand services as guaranteed by law. Any deficiency in doing qualifies as a deficiency of service as ensured by the Consumer Protection Act and can fetch redress from a consumer forum.
RBI had directed banks, particularly in view of the above practice, to put in place appropriate mechanisms such as dedicated counters providing preference to senior and differently-abled persons, ease of submitting life certificate, cheque-book facility, automatic conversion of status of accounts from fully KYC compliant to senior citizen accounts, additional facilities to visually impaired customers and ease of filing Form 15G/H. For these instructions had been issued to banks to provide doorstep banking and ensure other facilities by December 31, 2017.
Seniors citizens and differently-abled persons can download the said circular and approach their own branch to demand services as guaranteed by law. Any deficiency in doing qualifies as a deficiency of service as ensured by the Consumer Protection Act and can fetch redress from a consumer forum.