Govt directs all banks to restore services, ATMs in flood-hit Tamil Nadu

The government has directed all banks to restore banking services in flood affected areas as early as possible and provide ATM and other services to the people round the clock. About 8,849 branches (92 per cent) of the 9,653 branches of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) and 16,556 ATMs (90 per cent) out of 18,430 ATMs are functional in the state, according to a government release

The release said 804 bank branches and 1,874 ATMs are not functional due to unprecedented rain and consequential glitches.

In Chennai city, 1,317 branches (88 per cent) out of 1,509 bank branches are functional. 2,818 ATMs (68 per cent) out of 4,172 ATMs are functional while 192 bank branches and 1,354 ATMs are still not functional due to damages/connectivity issues/still submerged.

The release said all banks have been asked to restore banking services in flood affected areas as early as possible and provide ATM and other services to the people round the clock. They have been requested to provide mobile ATMs/POS machine services mounted on boat or other means. Banks have been asked to ensure replenishment of cash in all the ATMs. The banks have been asked to ensure that no banking operation is affected on account of lost/damaged pass book. The banks are also been advised to issue duplicate passbooks where required at the earliest.

Department of financial services of the finance ministry is closely monitoring the situation through SLBC, Tamil Nadu and banks, the release added.