Provide doorstep banking facilities to senior citizens and Divyangs by 31st December: RBI

New Delhi, November 10: To give relief to senior citizens and differently abled people, Reserve Bank of India RBI has called on banks to provide banking facilities at their doorsteps by December this year. 

RBI has asked banks to provide doorstep banking facilities to senior citizens of more than 70 years of age and differently-abled persons by December this year. Banks have been directed that senior citizens and specially-abled persons, including the visually-impaired, should be provided basic services like pick-up of cash and instruments against receipt, delivery of cash against withdrawal from accounts, delivery of demand drafts, and submission of Know Your Customer (KYC) documents and Life Certificates at the premises or residence of such customers.

RBI said that Banks are advised to implement these instructions by 31st December, 2017, in letter and spirit and give due publicity in their bank branches and websites.

The RBI also noted that notwithstanding the need to push digital transactions and use of ATMs, it is imperative to be sensitive to the requirements of senior citizens and the differently-abled. Banks have also been advised that a fully KYC compliant account should automatically be converted into a 'Senior Citizen Account' based on the date of birth available in the bank's records.

The RBI asked banks to provide a minimum of 25 cheque leaves every year for a savings bank account free of charge. They should not insist on physical presence of any customer, including senior citizens and differently-abled persons, for getting cheque books.

The notification further said that in addition to the facility of Digital Life Certificate under 'Jeevan Praman' Scheme, pensioners can submit physical Life Certificate form at any branch of the pension-paying bank.