To make bank branches and ATMs accessible to people with
disabilities, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently asked the banks
to ensure that new ATMs provide audible instructions and Braille
keypads. But no step has been taken by the banks in the district and the
disabled customers face difficulty in making transactions.
Total
70 ATMs and cash deposit machines and kiosks of 18 commercial banks are
functioning in the district. While the ‘normal’ customers take benefit
of the services, the customers with physical disabilities continue to
suffer.
Section 46 of the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 provides for non-discrimination against persons with disabilities in the built environment.
Complaining about the absence of facilities, Farrakh Ali, a physically challenged person said, “There is no arrangement of ramps so that wheel chair users or persons with disabilities can easily access the banks.”
“Besides the physically challenged persons, elderly people have mobility problem to visit banks and ATMs, a local said.
When contacted, district lead bank officer Dileswar Sahoo criticised the banks for violating guidelines and said banks should take steps on certain matters including customers’ convenience.
Source : The New Indian Express , 27th May 2014
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