What changed
RBI issued a circular on October 29, 2013, instructing cooperative banks to settle claims for missing persons from the June 2013 Uttarakhand disaster using only a death certificate from the designated officer under the MHA circular and a letter of indemnity. For cases not covered by the MHA circular, banks must follow the earlier May 14, 2008 circular on missing persons claims.
What it means for you
This simplifies claim settlement for affected families, reducing paperwork and delays. Banks must accept the MHA death certificate as sufficient proof without additional documentation, ensuring faster relief. The earlier circular remains applicable for other missing persons cases.
What you must do
- Accept death certificates issued under the MHA circular for Uttarakhand disaster missing persons as valid proof for claim settlement.
- Require only the death certificate and a letter of indemnity from claimants; do not insist on other documents.
- Apply the May 14, 2008 circular for missing persons claims not covered by the MHA circular.
- Train staff on the simplified process to ensure quick and compliant claim settlements.
Who it affects
State and Central Cooperative Banks (StCBs/CCBs), Claimants of missing persons in the June 2013 Uttarakhand disaster
What documents are needed to settle a claim for a missing person in the Uttarakhand disaster?
Only the death certificate issued by the designated officer under the MHA circular and a letter of indemnity are required.
Does this circular apply to missing persons from other disasters?
No, it applies only to missing persons from the June 2013 Uttarakhand disaster. For other cases, banks must follow the May 14, 2008 circular on missing persons.