Government Finally Takes Step to Improve Safety and Security of Bank Employees

There is a good news for the bank employees. Finally the Government of India has taken steps to enhance the safety and security of Bank employees. Hundreds of stories of crimes against bankers have been reported in the recent years. Click here to read.

Now, DFS Secretary M. Nagaraju has written a letter to Chief Secretaries of all States to increase protection for bank employees.

DFS Letter

Dear Chief Secretary,

Securing the availability of banking services to the public at all times is essential to enable households to meet their daily financial needs, access government welfare benefits through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) and for traders, micro-entrepreneurs, farmers and industries to carry on their economic activities without disruption.

News reports and social media coverage in the recent past highlighted disturbing incidents of anti-social elements behaving aggressively with bank staff within bank premises, which includes verbal abuse, physical assault and even disruption of operations. These are the unlawful actions which discourage the morale of bank staff and undermine public trust in the safe delivery of banking services. Such actions must be dealt with firmly and promptly, with deterrent legal measures to protect bank staff and ensure uninterrupted public access to banking.

In this context, I request you to issue suitable advisories to sensitize and instruct District Magistrates and the State Police to:
(i) Take all preventive measures to avoid such incidents in bank branches including deployment of local police/ patrolling during peak banking hours at vulnerable locations.
(ii) Ensure prompt and effective response to such complaints by the designated law enforcement agencies.
(iii) Take strong and deterrent action against perpetrators under relevant provisions.

These measures will enhance public trust, provide a secured environment for bank employees and facilitates the effective delivery of banking services.

With regards,

Your Sincerely,
(M. Nagaraju)

The copy of this letter was also sent to:

1. Chief Executive, Indian Banks’ Association – for information and circulation among members banks.
2. Chairman, State Bank of India and Managing Director & CEO of all Nationalized Banks – for sensitizing senior bank executives to immediately take stock of such incidents and proactively approach the State and District Authorities concerned for appropriate action.

• Click here to read stories of Crime against Bankers