I have recently set up a petty business, running from the SCO 98 Sector 44-C, Chandigarh which is just very close to BoB branch in the same location(at SCO 91 Sector 44-C, Chandigarh). So keeping the proximity and the convenience in view, I decided to open a Current Account with BOB branch. I went to the branch and met Mr. K.S. Guru, Senior Branch Manager there for the purpose; He gave me a set of forms. I returned with the filled in forms and other necessary ID Proofs(PAN Card, Voter ID Card etc.) and requested your branch Manager to open the account. On studying the form, he asked me to get an introduction from any Current Account Holder of the Branch. I told him that I do not know any such person. He denied to open an account.
This is a height of a bureaucratic behavior. A person wanted to avail the services of bank and he is being denied of the same merely on a flimsy ground, having no value, in face of the Photo ID(issued by the government agencies after due verification) provided to the bank. The Branch Manager did not know for what purpose the so called “INTRODUCTION” is required. All he could say was it is required as per RBI guidelines. When he was reminded that the Private Sector Bank do not insist for or require such an “introduction” for opening a current account, he retorted back that Private Sector Banks do not come under the purview of RBI and RBI have no control over the activities of Private Sector Banks. I was amazed with surprise to hear it and at the sheer knowledge of your Branch Manager. It is a matter of common belief that no Banking Operation can be done in India without the permission of the RBI and under the control/guidelines laid down by the RBI as well as various laws of the land.
Then, I asked him to make me enlighten as to why such a condition was imposed by RBI?(which is a hindrance in smooth going while the other proof of Identity are being provided). He told me that in case the account holder does anything wrong, RBI require a scapegoat to blame and involve the introducer into a criminal case.
Now tell me why a person introduces when there is at a larger criminal risk in doing so. It also means that a person who does not know a current account holder of the same branch, cannot open an account. I am giving my money to the bank and I do not ask bank to pay me interest and also I pay the monthly/quarterly/yearly charges to the bank to manage my account. I am putting my money at risk. Bank have no chance what-so-ever, to honour the cheques if there is no money or if there is any insufficient amount in the account. The Account is managed by the bank and I do not have any control over the activities of the bank. I have to rely on them as my trustee. I do not ask for the credentials of the people managing my money. I give my full ID proof so that if anything goes wrong, I may be identified and held responsible. I put under my hand so many declarations and assume so many responsibilities to indemnify the bank if anything goes wrong. Still I am made to produce an unknown “INTRODUCER” to open an account. How the introducer will vouch for the integrity of the person to whom he is introducing and what criminal or civil responsibility he assumes while introducing. What I could made out is that Bank treats every one as criminal, else proved otherwise. Am I a citizen of India or a criminal?
I could not understand the sanctity of “introduction” in the account opening process. This amounts to harassment of an innocent customer seeking to open an account. This is also a deficient service of the bank. The British have gone long ago yet the attitude is the same – SUSPECT. I wonder how the bank will grow, if it will keep involved in such petty things. I will tell hundreds others about the torments I met at the hands of the Bank staff for this. I am putting this on the blog on the net and invite people to comment about this.
I think, if this is the real situation of the procedures in the Nationalized Banks in general and Bank of Baroda in particular, the people sitting at the helm of the affairs of the bank must ponder upon and make the procedure simplest and workable. Try to change the attitude of the people working there with the age-old mind set. If you cannot serve avoid disservice at least.
I still looking for the purpose of “INTRODUCTION” while so many types of ID Proofs can be produced. Is Introducer is a “Guarantee” for the good conduct of the account holder? Is Introducer is a legal surety of the account holder. What if the introducer dies next morning, what is his inviolability? Whom the Bank will lay responsibility on? Or It is a great instrument of HARRASMENT?