What changed
RBI issued a circular on July 9, 2008, explicitly instructing cooperative banks to provide all banking facilities to visually challenged individuals. This follows a 2005 order from the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in Case No. 2791/2003, which ruled that risk alone cannot justify denial of services.
What it means for you
Banks can no longer refuse cheque books, ATM access, locker facilities, or other services to visually challenged customers based on perceived risk. The circular reinforces that visually challenged persons are legally competent to contract, and banks must assist them in availing facilities like cash withdrawal. Non-compliance could invite regulatory action.
What you must do
- Update branch-level policies to explicitly include visually challenged persons for all banking facilities.
- Train staff to provide assistance for cheque book issuance, ATM operations, locker access, and cash withdrawal.
- Ensure ATMs and net banking platforms are accessible to visually challenged users.
- Review and remove any internal guidelines that discriminate based on visual impairment.
Who it affects
State and Central Co-operative Banks (StCBs/DCCBs), Visually challenged banking customers, Branch managers and customer service staff
Does this circular apply only to cooperative banks?
Yes, the circular is addressed specifically to all State and Central Co-operative Banks, but similar principles apply to all banks under RBI's broader regulatory framework.
What facilities must be offered without discrimination?
Cheque book facility (including third-party cheques), ATM facility, net banking, locker facility, retail loans, and credit cards must all be offered to visually challenged persons.
Can a bank deny a locker to a visually challenged person citing security risk?
No. The 2005 court order cited in the circular states that risk is inherent for all customers, so it cannot be used to deny services to visually challenged individuals.