The Centre has asked all states and Union Territories to ensure normal functioning of banks and ATMs during the lockdown period as the Rs 27,500-crore financial package announced under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojana will be disbursed in coming days.
In a communication to chief secretaries of all states andUnion Territories, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said many state governmentshave issued instructions for reduced working hours of banks, functioning oflimited number of branches, restriction on movement of personnel related tofilling cash in ATMs and their maintenance among others.
He however, said smooth banking operations and relatedactivities across the country are essential.
Further, the central government has announced a financialpackage under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojana under which approximatelyRs 27,500 crores are going to be disbursed during this week and in the comingweeks to the targeted public through bank branches, ATMs and businesscorrespondents (BCS), Bhalla said.
In view of these facts, the home secretary said, necessaryinstructions may please be issued by the state governments and Union Territoryadministrations to their field functionaries to ensure that bank branchesremain functional.
“Cash management and maintenance agencies of ATMs areallowed, banks are permitted to remain open and functional for extended workinghours, if necessary, on March 30 and 31 for their annual closure and governmentbusiness.
“Local district/state/police administrations are inpreparedness to coordinate with banks during the disbursement of money to thepeople covered under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana,” he said in the letter senton Monday.
Banks, ATMs including IT vendors for banking operations,bank correspondent and ATM operation, and cash management services have beenexempted under the guidelines on the lockdown measures issued under theDisaster Management Act.
The 21-day lockdown was announced by Prime Minister NarendraModi on March 24 in a bid to combat the coronavirus epidemic.