No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/89 · issued 02 Aug 2005 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI allowed banks to open accounts for Maharashtra flood victims with minimal formalities—introduction from an existing account holder, basic ID/address proof, or two neighbours' references—to speed up relief cheque disbursement of Rs 50,000–2 lakh.
What changed
RBI relaxed KYC norms for flood-affected persons in Maharashtra, permitting account opening with reduced documentation. Banks could accept introduction from another account holder, basic identity documents (voter ID, driving license, office/school ID) plus address proof (electricity bill, ration card), or introduction by two neighbours with such documents. Any other evidence satisfactory to the bank was also allowed.
What it means for you
Banks must prioritize quick account opening for disaster victims to ensure relief funds reach them without delay. This circular overrides standard KYC requirements temporarily, but banks retain discretion to verify identity to their satisfaction. Lenders should prepare internal guidelines for similar future relaxations during calamities.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
Train branch staff on the relaxed KYC options for disaster-affected persons.
Set up a fast-track account opening process for relief cheque beneficiaries.
Maintain proper records of documents accepted under this relaxation for audit.
Coordinate with local authorities to identify genuine flood victims.
Who it affects
Scheduled commercial banks, Regional rural banks, Branch managers in flood-affected areas, Compliance and KYC teams
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 20:16 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn05 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What was the amount of relief cheques mentioned in this circular?
The circular stated that the State Government was arranging to issue cheques ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh to affected persons.
Does this relaxation apply to all banks or only specific ones?
It applies to all scheduled commercial banks including regional rural banks, as addressed to their chief executives.
Can we accept any document as proof under this relaxation?
Yes, the circular allows 'any other evidence to the satisfaction of the bank' if the listed options are not available, giving banks discretion.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #2787: DBOD.No.AML.BC.23/14.01.064/2005-06 — "Facilitating Opening of Bank Accounts for Flood Affected Persons" dated August 2, 2005”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2005-06/89
Ref.DBOD.No.AML.BC. 23 /14.01.064 /2005-06
August 2, 2005
To
The Chief Executives of Scheduled Commercial Banks
including Regional Rural Banks
Dear Sirs
Facilitating opening of bank accounts for flood affected persons
Please refer to our circular DBOD.No.AML.BC.58/14.01.001/2004-05 dated November 29, 2004 on Know Your Customer Guidelines – Anti-Money Laundering standards. In terms of the above circular, banks were advised to formulate a customer acceptance policy and customer identification procedure to be followed while opening an account.
2. As you are aware, a large number of persons have been affected by unprecedented floods in Maharashtra. The State Government is arranging to issue cheques ranging from Rs.50,000/- to Rs.2.00 lakh to affected persons who may or may not be having bank accounts and would need to quickly open bank accounts. In view of the calamity and the need to provide immediate succour, banks are advised to observe minimum formalities for enabling such persons to open a bank account quickly. The accounts may be opened with –
a. introduction from another account holder or
b. documents of identity such as Voter's Identity Card or a driving license, identity card issued by an office, company, school, college, etc. along with a document indicating the address such as Electricity Bill, Ration Card etc. or
c. introduction by two neighbours who have the documents as indicated in para 2 (b ) above or
d. in the absence of the above any other evidence to the satisfaction of the bank.
Yours faithfully
( Prashant Saran )
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/89 · issued 02 Aug 2005. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 05 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=2404&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
Help us keep this accurate
Found an inaccuracy or have an improvement? Tell us. Every report is reviewed by our team before any change is made — nothing goes live unverified.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
BANKPULSE · FREE DAILY BRIEF
Get RBI updates for your role
Every important RBI update, decoded in plain English — for your career, exams & financial awareness.
We collect only your email, name and role, used solely to send your brief — never sold or shared. Withdraw anytime via the unsubscribe link in any email. Independent platform, not affiliated with the RBI. Information, not legal advice.
REPORT AN ERROR · BETA
Spotted an error? Earn 500 BankPulse Credits
Help us stay accurate. If your correction is verified true and approved by our founder, you earn 500 BankPulse Credits — redeemable when the platform monetises.
Reviewed by a human before any credit is awarded. We never change the site from crowd input without verification.
WANT A NEW FEATURE · BETA
What would make BankPulse more useful for you?
Tell us what to build next — a tool, a data view, a role page, anything. We read every suggestion.
Thank you — your ideas directly shape what we build.