The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman today assured the nation of full functioning cash filed ATMs via twitter.
Addressing the nation in a tweet, she said that all the banks have ensured that their branches will be operational and ATMs are filed up with cash. Besides, she said that ‘Social distancing’ norms are being followed and sanitisers are also provided. She also tweeted, “All banks are ensuring that their branches are kept open, ATMs filled up & are working. Banking correspondents are active”.
She further said, “Just in case, any assistance/clarification is required contact DFSFightsCorona.”
The Finance Minister had earlier appreciated the lenders and their employers who are working during the 21-day lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic in India.
On Saturday, FM Sitharaman, in a meeting had directed the heads of banks to ensure that customer services are continued without any commotion and the branches are operational. She also directed them to maintain adequate liquidity in both branches and ATMs due to coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called a complete nation-wide lockdown till 14 April due to the recent outbreak of coronavirus. Banking service had been classified as an essential service and therefore exempted from this lockdown. Banks are required to keep their branches functional during the lockdown.
However, most of the banking transactions have been shifted to digital mode. Several banks – HDFC, ICICI, Standard Chartered, Syndicate Bank, Indian Bank – have made changes in their working hours and suspended non-essential banking services in a bid to maintain social distancing due to the rising coronavirus cases in India.
