The apex banking institution has asked banking entities to offer doorstep banking facilities to senior citizens aged over 70 years and specially-abled individuals including visually impaired by December 31st this year.

Issuing a notification concerning this, RBI in a communication to banks that include small finance and payments banks said, " it has been observed " that there are occasions when banks discourage or turn away senior citizens and differently-abled persons from availing banking facilities in branches.

"... in view of the difficulties faced by senior citizens of more than 70 years of age and differently-abled or infirm persons (having medically certified chronic illness or disability) including those who are visually impaired, banks are advised to make concerted effort to provide basic banking facilities".

Consequently, these individuals can expect to avail basic banking services including cash pickup for deposits or delivery in respect of withdrawal from their respective bank accounts, cheque books, demand drafts etc being delivered to their homes. Also banking representatives shall pick up documents pertaining to necessary KYC requirements or Life Certificates from the customers' premises.

The bank said, "Banks are advised to implement these instructions by December 31, 2017, in letter and spirit and give due publicity in their bank branches and websites".
A minimum of 25 cheque leaflets should be issued in a year by the bank for a savings account for free. And a fully compliant KYC account is advised by the RBI to be converted into a senior citizens account on an automatic basis based on the age in the records with the bank.

Also pensioners have been allowed to submit physical Life Certificate form in any of the branches of the pension paying bank.

With Inputs From PTI