RBI Tightens Security Norms for Regional Rural Banks

The Security Officers/Regional Managers may pay surprise visits to bank branches during banking hours and also at odd hours to ensure implementation of security instructions as well as to check the alertness of security staff/police guards. The security guards/police guards may be so positioned in the branch that the entire area within the bank premises is under their surveillance and no area is left unattended and thus becoming easily accessible to intruders.  In case of any anticipated existing risk/suspicion, the security staff may take immediate action as warranted and immediately report to the superiors and the nearest police station/Police Control Room. Information about major transactions, movements of large amounts of cash may be kept a secret and may be made known to only officials on a need-to know basis, at the appropriate time. While organizing movement of cash between branches, (currency chest or other branches) fixed routine in regard to route, time etc. may be avoided. Planning should be done by bank officials in consultation with security/police officers. Modern electronic security gadgets viz. CCTV, alarm system, sensors, electronic locks, hot lines, auto-dialers etc. may be installed at all major bank branches holding large amount of cash.These devices will help to reduce the delay in communication to the law enforcing agencies by the bank branch and help the police in apprehending the culprits.The bank branches will have to ensure that the systems they opt for are always in working condition, tamper proof, defect proof and capable of rendering reliable service at the time of emergency. Avoid carrying cash along or on foot.  Avoid transporting cash on two wheelers.  Remittances should be accompanied by the prescribed number of armed security guards/police guards. Avoid taxies or other hired vehicles and use own transport as far as possible, with facilities like proper cavity and it should be properly camouflaged. The armed guards/police guards accompanying the treasure should always be in ready position and should not be taken by surprise. It may be ensure that cash cages are fitted with grilles/wire-mesh nets with automatic locks. Time-barred cartridges should always be replaced by new ones after obtaining permission from the appropriate authority. Instructions should be issued to all branches having Armed Guards that Gun licenses should be kept up to-date. All Armed Guards should be instructed to clean and maintain the guns regularly so that they remain in working condition. In view of the spurt in incidents of bank robbery, specific location of Armed Guards in the branch is very important. He may be located in a place from where he can have unobstructed view and operate freely depending upon the circumstances.  If he remains located right on the main gate without adequate protective arrangements, he may be neutralized by miscreants easily.  The lay-out of each branch where Armed Guards have been provided may be reviewed by the Security Officer or a Senior Officer from the Regional Office in consultation with the branch Manager and the Armed Guard may be located accordingly. Security arrangements in all the Currency Chests should be reviewed in the light of the 4-point security measures, issued by Banking Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of India for strengthening security measures in Currency Chests.  They are (i) installation of steel barricades, (ii) segregating the Currency Chest area from the branch hall (iii) the positioning of the Armed Guard on duty in front of the Currency Chest so that he cannot be neutralized by any outside intruder and provision of accommodation for remaining Armed Guards in the Currency Chest in a safe location where miscreants cannot neutralize them and (iv) the provision of switches of Electronic Alarm System with the Armed Guard on duty within the barricaded area and also in their retiring room. Hot lines should be installed in all Currency Chest branches. Utmost precaution should be taken for safety and security of Currency Chests and for this purpose, physical presence of police guards on duty in maximum strength should be ensured.  Any deviation/shortfall in this regard should be referred to police authorities for immediate necessary action. In the event of Armed Guards not being posted at the bank branches, the Guns lying unused in the branch, should be deposited with police/registered arms dealers for Safe Custody against proper receipt/endorsement for ensuring safety of the arms and ammunition till any Armed Guard is posted in the branch.  The licence should, however, be renewed from time to time as per the directive of the licence issuing authorities.

Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/443 · issued 21 Apr 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.

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