Bank association opposes proposal to install CCTV cameras at ATM kiosks

Two weeks after a woman was assaulted by a machete-wielding man at an ATM vestibule in Bengaluru, the state government, in an attempt to safeguard its citizens, held a meeting with bank representatives and asked that all ATMs have CCTV cameras by January 2014. However, this idea was met with stiff opposition from the officials of the Indian Banks Association (IBA).

One of the measures suggested by minister of state for home Satej Patil was that doors at ATMs should be clear of any advertisements to allow clear vision of movements inside the kiosk. Representation pic

On Tuesday, a review meeting was held at Vidhan Bhavan to take stock of security measures at ATMs. Director- General of Police Sanjeev Dayal, Commissioner of Police Dr Satyapal Singh, Minister of State for Home Satej Patil, Chief General Manager of RBI R Kesavan and Deputy Chief Officer of IBA K Unnikrishnan attended the meeting.

During the course of the meeting, the state officials proposed installing CCTV cameras outside each ATM to safeguard the customers. However, the IBA said that such a plan would not only be difficult to carry out, but would also not guarantee safety.

According to sources, IBA representatives said that installing CCTV cameras would be an expensive proposition for the banks and in cases where cameras were installed, they were often broken. However, Patil and senior police officials did not buy this argument and warned that if the cameras were not installed, the state police would deem such ATMs unsafe.

Patil added that he had suggested that all advertisements displayed on the doors of ATM vestibules were removed, so that the movements of people inside were clearly visible. Further, banks were also asked to check the possibility of installing an alarm system at the ATMs, along with new software that would detect wrong entries into the system.

2,500
Approximate number of ATMs in the city

8,000
Approximate number of ATMs in the state

Safety measures suggested
CCTV cameras inside and outside the ATM
No advertisements on the door
Proper lighting inside the ATM
Alarm systemu00a0