Lok Sabha Question No. 1363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Security Services in Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sudheer Gupta, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1363

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19TH SEPTEMBER 2020/BHADRAPADA 28,1942 (SAKA) Secutity Services in Banks

1363. SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a whether the secutity in banks and banks lockers are in vulnerable condition in banks   have not been  provided sophisticated weapons to safeguard bank theft besides non-provision of CCTV camera in bank lockers;
- (6) if the details thereof and the reasons therefor with the corrective measures taken; /being taken by the Government in this regard; along
- whether the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are not responsibility for theft looting Or tampering of bank lockers   though the banks charges   heavily as annually locker fees from customers; taking
- (d) if s0, whether the Reserve Bank of India has issued any instruction to the banks that the responsibility of for the valuable kept in the bank lockers lies with the customers; and safety things
- (e) if s0, the details thereof and the reasons therefor with the corrective steps taken/ being taken by the Government in this regard? along

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a) and (): Public Sector Banks have informed that bank branches have been provided with adequate security arrangements  As per the banks, bank branches have been provided with security equipment like closed circuit televisions (CCTVs)

and burglar alarms with passive infrared devices and fire alarm systems, besides measures for proper physical security and these  arrangements are to security and audits  system   Further; banks inputs, have outsourced security services, including deployment of security guards, to empanelled and duly licensed secutity agencies: Banks   have also informed that security deployed in banks have been provided with non-prohibited bore weapons and hold arms licenses. subject regulat they private guards

With regard to conditions of safe deposit lockers, the banks have informed that exercise reasonable care and precaution for protection of the strong *oom and the lockers   provided, and that secutity measures taken include petiodic  teview of cameras and burglar alarms are installed. they

- (c) to (e): Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advised banks vide circulat dated 9.3.2001 that the of the bank depends on the facts and circumstances of the incident and that despite the conditions of the lease agreement; lessees should insure the contents of the lockers, and that the bank can be held liable if negligence is proved (having regard to the conditions of the strong room, the lockers, the safeguards; in the light of the location etc) Further; RBI has issued guidelines dated 17.4.2017 to banks   regarding of bank lockers;  which  provide that banks exercise due care and necessary precaution for the protection of lockers provided to customers, review systems in force for their operation on an ongoing basis, take necessary  steps, have train staff members concerned, and ensure through internal auditors that procedures are adhered to Banks take steps in accordance with the said RBI advice/ guidelines liability required safety sttictly