The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked all the banks in the country to take steps for the safety of their respective Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
In view of the cases of burglary, dacoity, robbery, and theft in the cash vending machines of banks, the central bank has issued the order.
“RBI has informed that the number of instances of burglary, dacoity, robbery, and theft in ATMs, as reported by banks and financial institutions to RBI were 303 in 2017-18 and 515 in 2018-19. The amount involved was Rs 11.22 crore and Rs 25.47 crore respectively,” said a PIB release.
The apex bank issued a circular in June in which it had directed all the banks to grout the walls, ceilings and floors of their ATMs with plaster/mortar by September-end this year.
Moreover, the RBI has also asked banks to roll-out a the comprehensive e-surveillance mechanism at the ATMs to ensure timely alerts and quick response.
If the banks fail to comply with the instructions and miss the deadline then they would attract regulatory action including levy of penalty, warned the RBI.
