DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (MExN): An awareness program on Banking Ombudsman Scheme 2006 was held at the State Bank of India, Regional Office Conference Hall, Dimapur on February 16. The program was attended by B.K. Malik, Secretary, Banking Ombudsman Guwahati, M.K. Nayak, Assistant General Manager State Bank of India, Regional Branch Dimapur, A.K. Saikia, Chief Manager, Lead Bank SBI (RO), Dimapur, members of Trading Associations, Co-operative Banks, Chamber of Commerce and Government officials.
B.K. Malik explained the salient features of the revised Banking Ombudsman Scheme 2006 which was made operative from January 1, 2006. The scope and the ambit of the scheme has been widened and made more focused and inclusive keeping in view the various products innovations in the banking sector and the heightened expectation of the customers, said the secretary. The RBI has further directed all commercial banks, RRBs and Scheduled Primary co-operative banks to comply with the scheme to the extent specified in the respective schemes.
The main objective of the scheme is to provide expeditious and inexpensive resolution of customers’ complaints and grievances on deficiencies like loans and advances and other specified matters in banking system. A customer can file a complaint with the bank for redressal of grievances if he is not satisfied with the payments, non-acceptance of small denominations without valid reasons, failure or delay in issue of drafts, pay order or banker’s cheques, non-payment of deposit or non-observance of the directive of RBI relating to interest rate on deposit account maintained with the bank, etc. The customer can also complain if the bank refuses to open a deposit without valid reasons, forced closure of deposit without notice or insufficient reasons, or refusal to close or delay in closure of accounts, etc. It also further said that the Banking Ombudsman will endeavour to promote a settlement through agreement/understanding/reconciliation between the complainant and the bank within one month failing which the Banking Ombudsman after giving a reasonable opportunity to the parties to present their case pass an award or reject the complaint.
The Banking Ombudsman Scheme 2006, said the secretary, is a reach-out program for financial assistance to do more in a minimum time and to bridge the gap between the bank and the common people.
