Soon, attendance of govt staff to be tracked online

 

 

 

A search for any registered employee yields complete details, along with the employee’s attendance/leave status. (Source: PTI)

Summary

The Modi government had recently directed all central government offices to introduce Aadhaar-based biometric attendance systems.

In what could be a revolutionary step towards monitoring and tracking the work of government officials, the NDA government has launched an “attendance website” to serve as a centralised database for all central government employees.
Though the website, attendance.gov.in, is still in the process of being developed, officials said it is expected to be modelled on the lines of similar websites of the Jharkhand government and the Department of Electronics and Information Technology.
To illustrate, the home page of the Jharkhand government’s attendance website gives the total number of employees present on the given day, along with graphical representations of “real-time attendance” and statistics on the percentage of people logging into office during different time slots, giving an idea of how many officials come to office during the designated timings. Further, a search for any registered employee yields complete details, along with the employee’s attendance/leave status.
Officials said the Centre’s website is likely to emulate most of these features and is expected to be as open to the public. “This level of open tracking takes transparency to another level, a key focus of this government,” said an official.
The Narendra Modi government had recently directed all central government offices to introduce Aadhaar-based biometric attendance systems. Officials said this website is the next step in that direction. The attendance record entered on the biometric devices in government offices will feed the data to this website, which will act as a centralised management information system (MIS) for attendance.
The database for all central government staff will be maintained centrally with a unique six digit ID provided for each employee, based on either the last six or first six digits of the Aadhaar number. Currently, the website has over 16,000 registered users, spread across 113 organisations. The maximum number of officials registered currently are from the Planning Commission. There are no active users or active devices yet.
For an organisation/ department to be registered, the nodal officers of that department will have to login to the website and create a master list of locations of their offices, designation of their offices and divisions/ units/ groups within their organisation. Following this, each employee can start registering online by submitting the relevant details along with Aadhaar numbers.

OUR SECRETARY GENERAL COM. M. KRISHNAN RETIRES

THE LEGEND RETIRES

"You can be taken out of the workforce officially, but the work force can never be taken out of you ". 

"You will be remembered ever, for the things that you did here. We are confident your services will be in the extended platform for the cause of common workers and downtrodden and this is the beginning of another leaf "....

CHQ R4 NFPE  TEAM CONGRATULATES ON YOUR RETIREMENT AND WISHING A LONG, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS LIFE FOR YOU ON THE DAYS TO COME

Govt to increase DA to 107 %

Govt to increase dearness allowance to 107 p.c

The Government is likely to approve a hike in dearness allowance (DA) to 107 per cent from the existing 100 per cent, benefiting around 30 lakh Centre’s employees and its 50 lakh pensioners including dependents.

“The average rate of retail inflation for industrial workers from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 works out to be 7.25 per cent. Thus the Central government will hike dearness allowance for it employees by 7 per cent,” an official said.

He said the Finance Ministry will now put a Cabinet proposal for approval of 7 per cent DA hike from July 1 this year as the revised Consumer Price Index-Industrial Workers data for June was released by Labour Ministry on Saturday.

With increase in DA, the pensioners will also gain as the benefit provided to them as dearness relief will be hiked to 107 per cent of basic pay.

The previous UPA government had increased DA to 100 per cent from 90 per cent with effect from January 1, 2014, on February 28 on the basis of agreed formula for revision of the allowance.

However, the central government employees’ union is not very enthused by the 7 per cent hike in the dearness allowance as their long pending demand of merger of DA with basic pay has not been given heed by 7th Pay Commission and the government.

“The erosion of value of wages is unbearable at 50 per cent dearness allowance. Now it will be 107 per cent. It is high time to merge DA with basic pay to provide relief to employees,” Confederation of Central Government Employees’ President KKN Kutty told PTI.

“We had summited our memorandum in this regard to 7th Pay Commission. They forwarded it to Central Government. We have apprised about the issue to the newly elected NDA government.

But no decision has been taken so far,” he said.

With merger of DA with basic pay, the salary and allowances paid in proportion of basic pay are increased. As per earlier practise DA was merged with basic pay once it breached 50 per cent mark. But the 6th Pay Commission has disallowed that.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-to-increase-dearness-allowance-to-107-from-100/article6366781.ece

GATE 2015: Things one should know before applying

The application process for GATE 2015 shall commence on September 1, 2014. Interested candidates will have to apply online through the zonal GATE websites of IISc or any of the seven IITs.

The GATE 2015 score will be valid for a period of three years from the date of announcement of results. All the papers in GATE 2015 will be held in online mode only and some examinations will be conducted in multiple sessions.

According to GATE 2015 website, the GATE examination will be held on January 31, February 01, 07, 08, 14, 2015. There are some important facts aboutt GATE 2015 that candidates should know before applying and preparing for the examination.

The Online Computer Based Test (CBT) will be held for all the 22 papers. The online examination paper will contain some questions for which numerical answers must be keyed in by the candidate using the virtual keypad. Rest of the questions shall be Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ).

Candidates will have to go through biometric information (photograph and fingerprints) verification before the start of the examination.

GATE 2015 examinations will be held in two sessions - forenoon and afternoon sessions on alternate weekends (Saturday and Sunday) between January 31, 2015 and February 14, 2015. Examination for some of the papers in GATE 2015 will be held in multiple sessions.

Subjectwise examination schedule will be notified later. For GATE 2015, the entire process of filling up of application form, uploading of certificates/documents etc. will be online and the candidates should not send any hard copy of their application form/documents, etc. to any of the IIT/IISc zonal GATE office.

Payments of application fees will be accepted only online through different modes like net banking, debit/credit card, e-challan, etc. The admit cards for GATE 2015 would be available through the online process only. Candidates can download their admit card from GATE 2015 website. No hard copy of admit cards will be posted to the candidates.

Source : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/

Prime Minister to Launch Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Tomorrow: To Dedicate Mobile Banking Facility on Basic Mobile Phones to the Nation

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance

27-August-2014 17:58 IST

Prime Minister to Launch Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Tomorrow: To Dedicate Mobile Banking Facility on Basic Mobile Phones to the Nation  

            The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will launch the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) tomorrow at a function in the national capital. On this occasion, an exhibition on Technology and Financial Literacy will be organized. The Prime Minister will visit this exhibition. A film on ‘Financial Inclusion’ will also be screened. The Prime Minister will unveil a Logo and a Mission Document on Financial Inclusion.  He will also distribute awards to the winners of the Logo contest and the ‘account opening kit’ to five beneficiaries on this occasion. He will dedicate the mobile banking facility on the basic mobile phone (USSD) to the nation. 

The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister of State for Finance, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary and Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will be present on this occasion among other dignitaries. 

Under PMJDY, Comprehensive Financial Inclusion based is proposed be achieved under the six pillars as under: 

Phase I (15^th August ,2014-14^th August,2015)- 

v     Universal access to banking facilities

v     Providing Basic Banking Accounts with overdraft facility of Rs.5000 after six months and RuPay Debit card with inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh and RuPay Kisan Card

v      Financial Literacy Programme 

Phase II (15^th August 2015-15^th August,2018)- 

v     Creation of Credit  Guarantee Fund   for coverage of defaults in overdraft  A/Cs

v     Micro Insurance

v     Unorganized sector Pension schemes like  Swavlamban  

In addition, in this phase, coverage of households in hilly, tribal and difficult areas would be carried out. Moreover, this phase would focus on coverage of remaining adults in the households and students. 

·        All the rural & semi urban areas of the country is proposed to be mapped into Sub Service Area (SSA) comprising 1000-1500 households with an average 3-4 villages with relaxation in NE/ Hilly states.

·        It is also proposed that looking to the viability of each centre around 74000 villages with population more than 2000 which were covered by Business Correspondents under Swabhiman Campaign will be considered for conversion into full fledged Brick & Mortar branches with staff strength of 1+1/1+2 in the next three years.

·        All the 6 lakh villages across the entire country are to be mapped according to the Service Area of each Bank to have at least one fixed point Banking outlet catering to 1000 to 1500 households, called as Sub Service Area (SSA). It is proposed that SSAs shall be covered through a combination of banking outlets i.e branch banking and branch less banking.Branch banking means traditional Brick & Mortar branches. Branchless bankingcomprises of fixed point Business Correspondents agents, who act as representative of Bank to provide basic banking services.

·        The implementation strategy of the plan is to utilize the existing banking infrastructure as well as expand the same to cover all households. While the existing banking network would be fully geared up to open bank accounts of the uncovered households in both rural and urban areas, the banking sector would also be expanding itself to set up an additional 50,000 Business correspondents (BCs), more than 7000 branches and more than 20000 new ATMs in the first phase .

·        The comprehensive plan is necessary considering the learnings from the past where a large number of accounts opened remained dormant, resulting in costs incurred for banks and no benefits to the beneficiaries.  

v     The plan, therefore, proposes to channel all Government benefits (from Centre/State/Local body) to the beneficiaries to such accounts and pushing the Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) scheme of the Union Government including restarting the DBT in LPG scheme. MGNREGS sponsored by Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD, GoI) is also likely to be included in Direct Benefit Transfer scheme.

·        Keeping the stiff targets in mind, in the first phase, the plan would focus on first three pillars in the first year starting from 15^th August, 2014.

·        The target for setting up additional 50,000 BCs is quite challenging given the constraints of telecom connectivity.

·         In order to achieve this plan, phase wise and State wise targets for Banks have been set up for Banks for the period 15^th August, 2014 to 14^th August, 2015. 

·        In order to achieve a “demand” side pull effect, it would be essential that there is Branding and awareness of Business Correspondent model for providing basic banking services, Banking Products available at BC outlets and RuPay Cards. A media plan for the same is being worked out in consultation with banks.

·        A Project Management Consultant/Group would be engaged to help the Department implement the plan.

·        It is proposed to launch the programme simultaneously at National level in Delhi, at every State capital and all district headquarters.

·        A web-portal would be created for reporting/monitoring of progress.

·        Roles of various stakeholders like other Departments of the Central Government, State Governments, RBI, NABARD, NPCI and others have been indicated.

·        Gram Dak Sewaks in rural areas are proposed as Business Correspondent of Banks.

·        Department of Telecom has been requested to ensure that problems of poor and no connectivity are resolved. They have informed that of the 5.93 lakh inhabited villages in the country (2011 census) only about 50,000 villages are not covered with Telecom connectivity.

All you need to know about cap on free ATM transactions

The RBI's decision to cut the number of free transactions on other banks' ATMs will  have widespread ramifications. Starting 1 November, if you conduct more than  three transactions on other banks' ATMs in a month, you will be charged Rs 20  per transaction. The apex bank has also allowed banks to charge customers if  they use their own bank ATMs more than five times a month. This applies to  transactions in six metros: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and  Hyderabad.

The silver lining in the new rules on ATM  usage is that the charge structure has been harmonised. Before the RBI decided  in 2009 to make five ATM transactions free, banks used to charge anything  between Rs 15 and Rs 60 per transaction at another bank's ATM. This was later  revised to Rs 20 per withdrawal and Rs 9 for non-financial transactions. Banks  have been lobbying for the introduction of charges on ATM usage ever since the  RBI allowed this. Thankfully, the RBI has not permitted  banks to have their way and retained the cap on charges for withdrawals.

While Rs 20 per transaction is not exactly usurious, it can add up to a  sizeable amount every month if you are not careful about your cash flow. With  careful planning, you can avoid paying the ATM charges beyond the free  transactions. However, don't go overboard trying to avoid the ATM charge. For  instance, keeping a lot of cash at home to save on ATM fees could prove  counter-productive. In your effort to save Rs 20 in transaction fee, you may  lose a few hundred rupees  in interest.

Besides, it is possible that your bank does not levy charges for using ATMs  frequently. For instance, preferred customers, who hold a large bank balance or  have made investments through the bank, could be allowed more than  three free transactions a month at other ATMs and an unlimited use of the bank's  own teller machines. The change comes at a time when banks are adopting  technology at a furious pace. Most banks now offer customers the facility of  knowing their account balance or getting a mini statement through an SMS or phone banking. So, avoid using the  ATM for nonfinancial transactions that can be done through other  channels.

6 ways to avoid high ATM  charges
Here's how you can avoid the charges that are  likely to kick in from 1 November 2014.

Use cards wherever possible : Your first weapon against  ATM charges is the plastic in your wallet. Use your debit and credit cards so  that you don't need too much cash. Be alert when you do this. Some  establishments charge 1-2% of the amount as transaction fee, which will defeat  the purpose of using the cards. There is also the danger of overspending if you  use plastic money for every purchase.

Plan your cash flow better : Don't wait till you are  broke to withdraw money from the ATM. Give yourself a buffer of 2-3 days by  indulging in advance planning. In this manner, you won't be forced to use  another bank's ATM. While withdrawing cash, take out more than the amount you  need immediately. Take into account the expenses during the coming 8-10 days and  withdraw accordingly.

Prefer your own bank : If your bank's ATM is in the  vicinity, avoid using another bank's machine. Even if you have to walk 50-100  feet, your first choice should be your own bank's ATM. Only if there is no ATM  close to you should you use another bank's ATM. Some banks have apps that can  help you locate their nearest ATM on the smartphone. Make a list of your bank's  ATMs in the areas you frequently visit.

Keep emergency cash : Keep some cash at home in case you  run out of money due to unforeseen expenses. However, don't keep too large an  amount in cash. In your effort to save Rs 20 in ATM fees, you could be losing  out more in interest on that amount. Besides, keeping cash at home is risky.

Start using dormant account : The silver lining is that  the ATM charges will help revive your dormant bank account. Most banks charge a  small annual fee of Rs 80-100 for a no-frill debit card. One debit card will  allow you 36 transactions on other banks' ATMs and 60 at your own bank in one  year. That is much cheaper than the charge imposed by your current bank if you  exceed the cap on transactions.

Use SMS, phone banking for non-financial transactions : The cap on ATM usage includes non-financial transactions, such as balance  enquiry or a mini statement request. Instead of using the ATM for this, take the  SMS route. Most banks offer SMS facility for checking account balance, mini  statements with last five to 10 transactions, and the status of cheques issued  by you.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/\

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Why do we join Union?

Smt. Nandita Mohanty

Chairperson, Women Sub-Committee

AIPEU, Gr-C, Bhubaneswar Division 

          With the evolution of society and growth in social needs there is a sharp development in industrialization. It involves use of modern technology and employment of large number of workers. As large number of people are involved,  it becomes necessary to safe guard the interest of the workers. They need to be organized to fulfil their demands in respect of salary, welfare and social security. There comes the concept of `Union’. 

          So, union is the long-term association of workers to advance and protect the interest of members of the union in the working relationship. According to Flippo “A labor union or a trade union is an organization of workers formed to protect, promote and improve through collective action, the social, economic and political interest of its members.” 

          Whenever any employee joins a union, he has some expectations in his mind. He may join the union for the following reasons:- 

·          Economic benefits: When any employee joins an organization the main interest is the salary or wage. As the social status of a person is defined by the economic standard he carries, more emphasis is given to the economic benefits. But any single individual has very little bargaining capacity as compared to the huge power of the management. He thinks, if he joins the union, union will fight for the economic interest of the employee as the union has great bargaining capacity to get its demands accepted by the management.  But the union has also its own limitations. It can bargain on the genuine ground according to the prevailing rules. It can demand for the economic up-gradation when the organization is economically sound. For that the employees have to give their hundred percent so that union can demand enhancement of monetary benefits. Because no organization will give any economic benefit unless and until it is economically sound. At that time expectation of economic advancement is baseless. 

·          Platform for self-expression: At the primitive days of industrialization, lives of the workers were like slaves without any voice against the tyranny of the management. They used to live at the mercy of the management. They couldn’t raise their voice against un-hygienic working conditions, hard work, low wage, long and inconvenient hours of working etc. Self-expression and individuality were totally prohibited. But the desire for self-expression is a fundamental drive which can’t be ignored. By joining the union the employees get a platform for self-expression. The union provides the mechanism through which employees can make their voice heard by the top management. Union serves as the communicating device between the employees and the management.  Sometimes due to low perspective and narrow-mindedness, some can’t understand the long-term views taken by the organization in the context of overall growth of the organization and employees. Anything which does not result in immediate reward becomes unattractive to them. This attitude results in the difference in views and conflict in union. One thing we should keep in mind that union is by the employees, for the employees and of the employees. So to be in union, one should go beyond oneself. 

·          Check-bar on arbitrary action of the management: The employees join the union to fight against the arbitrary action of the management. It works like a brake to the monopoly of the management. Employees expect a just and fare dealing from the management on the basis of the prevailing rules and regulations. Union  serves a checkmate when management goes beyond the prevailing rules and take action against the employees which is irrational, unlawful or  discriminatory. Thus union safe- guards the interest of the employees. 

·          Security :  The employees join union because they think that at the time of need the union will stand by them. They can get the protection from hazards and economic insecurities at the time of illness, accidents, unemployment etc. For example, trade union ensures compensation to the injured workers under the Workman’s Compensation Act 1923, secures the retirement benefits under Gratuity Act 1972 and PF Act 1952, employees’ health, social security, payment of wage, bonus, insurance, maternity benefit etc. and other welfare measures by compelling the management to abide by these. With the union, employees feel safe and secure both mentally and physically. 

·          Employee-employer relationship:  The employee may not have easy access to the top management. But union is the proper machinery which maintains a sound communication between the employer and the employee. Employees feel attached to the organization by this. If the relation between the employer and employees is good then industrial disputes, conflicts, strikes and lock-outs can be avoided. 

·          Sense of participation: Sense of participation is also a fundamental desire among the employees. They expect that their voice should be heard in making decisions in the organization. This is known as the Workman’s Participation. Being in the union, they can make their voice heard by the management in matters affecting them and can also influence to take a correct decision. 

·          Sense of belongingness: When any employee joins an organization the sense of belongingness is developed inside him. He tries to feel that he is the integral part of the organization. For that he may join the union. Because his co-workers are with the union. He may have the feeling that if he will not join the union he will be odd man out and can’t get any assistance at the time of need. On the contrary, when he is in the union he feels that he is attached with the organization and experiences a feel-good factor. He begins to think that he has some importance in the organization and among the co-workers. 

·          Background factor: Some who are born and brought up in the industrial area or in the organizational background where the society members and members of the family are attached with the union, join the union as a nature of practice. Here the past history works. As a result,  they think it obvious and natural enough to join the union. 

Though it is the mere truth that union is for the safe-guard of the employees, we can’t use it as the weapon against the management. If management strives for the long term benefit of the organization which may sound unreal on the today’s back ground,  then union also has to think in that angle for the mutual benefit. We should aspire for the long term benefits because our next generation may get the fruit out of it. We have to make the union strong for the bright future.

*****

 Source : http://aipeup3bbsr.blogspot.in/

Confederation declares Nationwide Agitational Programme – Demands including DA Merger and Interim Relief

Confederation declares Nationwide Agitational Programme – Demands including DA Merger and Interim Relief

Confederation publishes  an organized series of agitational programme on its portal toady including the burning issues DA Merger and Interim Relief.

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS

1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001

Website: WWW. Confederationhq.blogspot.com

Email: Confederationhq@yahoo.co.in

Ref: CIRCULAR No.18

Dated - 17.08.2014

To

All CHQ Officers Bearers

All Affiliated Organizations

All State C-O-Cs

CONFEDERATION DECLARES NATIONWIDE AGITATIONAL PROGRAMMES

Dear Comrades,

The National Sectt. of the Confederaton met at New Delhi on 11.08.2014 to consider the follow up action required in the matter of some of the pressing issues on which Confederation had organized series of agitational programmes prior to the commencement of the Election process of the 16th Lok Sabha. The CHQ has received reports from various affiliaties to the effect that they have all endorsed the common memorandum, the Confederation had submitted to the 7th CPC. Most of the affiliates have emailed copies of the respective memorandum to the CHQ. Those who have not sent copies are requested to do so without further loss of time. This will enable the Confederation to write to the 7th CPC to provide an opportunity to these organisations to tender oral evidence to explain and elucidate their submissions in the memorandum.

The meeting noted that there has been only negative response from the Government on the issues of Interim Relief and merger of DA.

We have already sent to you a copy of our letter addressed to the Seretary, Staff Side, JCM National Council, (Com. Shivgopal Mishra) which is yet to be responded. The meeting considered the following issues as important, the pursuance of which must not brook any delay, especially in the background that the 7th CPC has formally written to the Government asking it to indicate the course of action required to be taken on the memorandum of the staff side on Interim Relief and marger of DA.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1. Merger of DA with pay for all employees with effect from 01.01.2014 including Gramin Dak sewaks and pensioners.2. Grant of Interim Relief to all employees including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Pensioners.3. Inclusion of Gramind Dak sevaks under the purview of 7th Central pay Commission.4. Scrap PFRDA Act and grant of statutory pension to all.5. Date of effect of 7th CPC recommendations should be 01.01.2014.6. Regularisation and revision of wages of casual laboures and contract workers.7. Removal of 5% condition for compassionate appointments.8. Fill up al vacant posts and creation of new posts wherever justified.9. Stop downsizing, outsourcing, contractorisation and privatisation of Government functions.10. Grant Productivity linked Bonus to all without ceiling; compute Bonus as weighted average of PLB for those not covered by PLB agreement.11. Revise OTA and NDA and implement arbitration awards.

The meeting also considered the policy perception of the new Government in the light of the administrative price hike in petroleum products, the proposals in the Railway and General Budget, the steep hike in the freight and passenger fares of Railways, the decision to hike FDI in Defence Production, Railway Infrastructure and Insurance sectors, disinvestment of public sector including nationalized banks and have come to the inescapable conclusion that under Narendra Modi dispensation, the neo-liberal policies, as expected, will only be intensified and the promised “Achche Din” is for the Corporate giants of the country. The last session of the Parliament witnessed the determination of the NDA Government in changing the labour laws on the lines of the enactment made by Rajasthan Government of Vasundhara Raje Scindhia by virtue of which in almost 90% of the manufacturing units in India, the employers are permitted to indulge in hire and fire policy, for the existing regulations will be dispensed with.

The meeting came to the decision that the confederation must organise serious and prolonged campaign, preferably in unison with the Railway and Defence Federations. We will pursue our consultation with those Federations to reach a common approach in the matter. Since it might take some more time, the meeting decided to pursue the demands through a demonstrative programme.

11th September 2014 – Submission of the Charter of Demands along with a brief Note to all heads of offices by arranging demonstration in front of all offices; the branch level/district/divisional/state level leaders will explain the demands especially the memorandums on interim relief, DA merger and GDS issues.

19th September 2014 – Dharna between 10 AM to 3 PM at all important state/districts/divisional centres.

25th September 2014 – Dharna between 10 AM to 3 PM at New Delhi with participation of the leaders of all affiliates and the members working in the city of Delhi (at a central place-to be decided by the Confederation Delhi State committee).

Confederation office Bearers will meet again at Delhi on 26.09.2014, 5 PM to decide further course of action. Confederation will bring out pamphlets and bulletins to explain various issues like minimum wage, DA, Bonus, GDS problems etc. shortly as part of an education campaign. The detailed campaign programe to be undertaken after Diwali festival will be intimated later.

Comradely yours,

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Only 3 free withdrawals from other ATMs, 5 from own

If you are in a metro and planning to withdraw cash from other banks' automated teller machines (ATMs), be careful. Savings bank account holders will, henceforth, enjoy only three free transactions at other ATMs, instead of five per month.

The country's banking regulator, the Reserve Bank of India has just issued a note to this effect. This will apply for transactions done at ATMs located in six metro centres — Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad, which are well-served in terms of payment infrastructure.

RBI said banks are free to offer free transactions above this mandated limit but not many banks are likely to offer freebies as cost of maintaining small accounts has risen over the years.

The new diktat will not apply to customers having no-frills or basic savings bank ( BSBDA) type of accounts as well as for those situated outside these six metro centres.

The objective of this direction, RBI said, is to "move away from micro management of business decision of banks while protecting the interests of the weaker sections of the society".

RBI said it has taken into account the associated costs of infrastructure to banks and the economy more generally before coming up with the new direction.

The central bank has also advised banks to provide their own savings bank account holders with at least five free transactions per month at their own ATMs. Beyond this, banks may decide to levy transaction charges but that should not exceedRs 20 plus taxes per transaction.

The number of ATMs has increased to over 1.6 lakh across the country at the end-March 2014 from a little over 27,000 seven years back.

The point-of-sale (POS) infrastructure has increased from 3.2 lakh to 10.65 lakh terminals during the same period. The development of other payment mechanisms and related infrastructure is more visible in metropolitan areas.

Reserve Bank of India told banks to keep customers aware of the changes in the rules to improve customer satisfaction quotient.

Source : The Economic Tumes