Question : CASH VAN SECURITY

(a) whether there has been an increase in the incidents of robberies from banks/cash vans/Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in various parts of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise and the amount looted therefrom during the said period;

(c) whether the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued any guidelines to the banks in this regard; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government/RBI to strengthen the security in the banks/cash vans to prevent such incidents in future?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Namo Narain Meena)

(a) to (d) :- State/UT-wise detail of the robberies reported by banks to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the period from April 2010 to Sep 2013 are given in Annex.

Banks have been advised from time to time to enhance security arrangements at their branches and ATMs. These include coverage of ATM sites by CCTVs and ensuring adequate training of security staff posted at ATMs. Banks were further advised in April 2012 in view of certain instances of robberies including armed robberies, to review and strengthen the security arrangements in their branches/ATMs.

In November 2013, Government has advised Banks to review the existing security arrangements at their ATMs in terms of instructions issued by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on security measures in branches and ATMs.