RBI to soon instruct banks on facilities for senior citizens and differently abled persons

The Reserve Bank of India will soon issue necessary instructions to banks to offer banking facilities for senior citizens and differently abled persons. In its fourth bi-monthly monetary policy statement, the Reserve Bank said that to remedy the issue of some banks discouraging senior citizens and differently abled customers to take benefit of banking services it would soon issue detailed guidelines.

“It has been reported that banks are discouraging or turning away senior citizens and differently abled persons from availing banking facilities in branches,” the central bank said in its monetary policy statement. “Notwithstanding the need to push digital transactions and use of ATMs, it is imperative to be sensitive to the requirements of senior citizens and differently abled persons.”

The regulator said that it would instruct banks to put in place explicit mechanisms for meeting the needs of such customers so that they do not feel marginalised.

The central bank also said that the banking Ombudsmen will also be advised to pay heed to complaints coming in from senior citizens and differently abled persons. The guideline sin this regard are expected to be issued at the end of this month.