Goemkarponn Desk
MAPUSA: The first day of exchanging or depositing junked Rs 2,000 notes is off to a rocky start with confusion over the requirement of officially valid identity cards, like PAN or Aadhaar, and official forms.
There have been complaints from some places that banks are demanding customers submit identity cards as proof, suggesting a lack of consistent policy across banks.
While several customers confirmed that they were not asked for ID proof, many in various cities said that they were asked to furnish them.
Many banks have reportedly refused to exchange notes altogether, asking people to deposit instead.
A Siolim Resident Joaquim Barros has filed an online complaint with the Central Bank of India for asking for ID proof to deposit Rs 2000 notes being a customer of the latter bank.
“On Monday I had gone to the Central Bank, Mapusa to deposite 2000 rupee notes. When I told the cashier to deposite the notes, the cashier asked for ID proof to which I told him as per RBI rules no document is required and also I am an account holder in the bank to which he send me to the branch manager. When I told the branch manager about the deposite he said that document is required,” said Barros
He further said that he told him as per the RBI rules no documents are required and even insisted for the document I had to go home and come back with the document and I asked for the complaint register a long book was given to me and columns were made and I wrote the complaint and told him to sign the register and give me the copy.
“The branch manager gave me the copy stamped and signed I took the copy and made a online complaint with the Central Bank. It is mere harrasment of the public. Our money our account and to deposite our own money asking for ID? Strict warning should be given to banks to follow RBI rules and stop harrasment to public,” he added
Yesterday, to a question on the same, the RBI Governor said banks can follow their own rules and there’s no procedure dictated by the RBI. Without specifically clarifying if the RBI required banks to ask for documents or requisition slips, he said banks have their own existing rules for currency exchange and deposits.
On how the government would monitor black money if no IDs were required to exchange or return the Rs 2,000 notes, Mr Das said: “We have asked banks to follow their existing procedure. We have not asked them to do anything differently.”
