Expedite claim settlements of U'khand missing, RBI to banks

MUMBAI: RBI today asked banks to expedite settlement of claims in respect of persons missing in the Uttarakhand floods and landslide disaster of mid-June.

"...banks are advised to settle the claims in respect of missing persons...without insisting on production of any documentation other than ... the 'Death Certificate' issued by the Designated Officer under MHA ( Ministry of Home Affairs) Circular and ... letter of indemnity," said a Reserve Bank notification.

In the aftermath of disaster that struck the state during June 14-20 this year, the Office of the Registrar General of India, MHA has devised a procedure for registration of death of missing persons in natural calamities affected areas in Uttarakhand.

The floods and landslides had caused extensive damage in Uttarakhand and adversely affected the life of the people in the state.

Thousands of people, including pilgrims, were killed or reported missing in the state in the aftermath of the flash-floods and landslides.

The Centre has also exempted the hospitality industry in the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand from service tax till March 2014.