Measures to check cyber crimes in Banking System

As per data reported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the number of cyber crime pertaining to credit card, ATM, debit card and Internet banking shows a marginal increase of 4.4% from 13,083 in 2014-15, to 13,653 in 2016-17.

RBI has issued Cyber Security Framework in Banks, mandating banks to put in place a Board-approved cyber-security policy, which covers the risks from cyber threats and the measures to address/ mitigate these risks.

RBI has issued instructions to banks for reversal of erroneous debits arising from fraudulent or other transactions, and for Board-approved bank policy to cover customer protection, the mechanism of compensating the customer for the unauthorised electronic banking transactions, and display of the same on the bank’s website, along with the details of grievance-handling / escalation procedure. Under the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, if a customer does not receive any reply within a period of one month after receipt of representation by the bank or is not satisfied with the reply given, he can file a complaint before the Ombudsman, who can ask the bank to pay compensation of up to Rs. 20 lakh to the customer for loss, suffered by the customer due to an act of omission of the bank, and also compensation of up to Rs. 1 lakh for mental agony and harassment.

This was stated by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Finance in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

Ministry Asks Banks to Show New Currency Deposit Receipts

The Ministry of Finance, Government of India through its Department of Financial Services(DFS) has asked all the Public Sector Banks(PSBs) and the Indian Bankers Association (IBA) to ensure hundred percent(100%) that deposits of new currency is properly reflected in the customers’ counterfoils.

In a letter addressed to all the Managing Directors (MDs) & Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)/Chairman cum Managing Directors (CMDs) of PSBs and Chairman, IBA, the DFS has stated that maintenance of records regarding deposit of SBN and Non-SBN, as the case may be, is essential both in the bank record as well as the customer’s record.

The letter further states though most banks providing correct information to the customers yet to ensure that it is done in 100% of cases without fail, all the bank branches in the country be alerted to reflect correctly the cash deposit in old and new currency and inform the customers about the same.

The Ministry has asked the MDs &CEOs/CMDs of PSBs and Chairman, IBA that this must be followed scrupulously and any deviation in this regard has to be prevented and if noticed, dealt with firmly and immediately.

The letter further states that to educate the public, banks may clearly display a prominent sign (including in the local language) in their respective branches requesting their customers to fill-up deposit slips clearly indicating old and new currency and the denomination of the notes..

The DFS has asked all the MDs &CEOs/CMDs of PSBs and Chairman, IBA to consider this urgently and action taken in this regard be reported by 16.12.2016.

The Ministry also appreciated the role played by the banks post-demonetisation especially when the old currency was accepted and till 24th November, 2016, when exchange of old currency to specified limit was also permitted.

Demonetisation: Supreme Court Warns Govt to End Cash Crisis

The Supreme Court on Friday warned the government to find ways to end the cash crisis as people standing in long queues for hours every day may turn violent anytime leading to anarchy.

Brushing aside the government contention, the court made it clear that “It is a serious issue.” Since it affects the entire population, it said, “You cannot deny there is a serious problem. There could be riots.”

The bench consisting of Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice AR Dave retorted to attorney general Mukul Rohatgi’s plea seeking directive to lower courts to stop hearing cases related to demonetisation. Once the high courts take up legal suits, millions of suits will move the courts seeking intervention to redeem their money.

The bench took exception to limit the daily cash exchange limit to Rs 2,000, after promising to increase it to Rs.4500 creating suspicions in the minds of people about the government’s ability to exchange their money in time.

“The government just did not have the capacity to print new currency notes. They should have taken this into account and taken steps to avoid putting people into untold harassment,” said petitioners.

“Daily labourers are not getting paid, tea garden workers are not getting their salaries, people in rural areas have to walk long distances to reach banks and ATMs only to be told that these have run out of cash. It is a serious situation. Transporters are suffering. Trucks are standing idle without cash. India is a cash-based economy and the government has hurt it badly by freezing cash circulation,” senior advocate Kapil Sibal said in the Supreme Court on Friday on behalf of the petitioners who have questioned the legality of demonetisation.

The next hearing will be on November 25.