UNUSED BANK LOCKERS

[GURUSWAMY KRISHNAMURTHY]

When i visit any bank to operate my locker I find that number of lockers with  stikers pasted iin red

'RA' indicating the rent arrer from the hirer. When i enquired I was told that the wherabouts of the hirerer is not known and hence they have marked it with red sticker. This the happening in both private bank and public sector bank.

I find inspite of clear circulars issued by RBI  giving guidlelines for opening the unused lockers, banks are not taking any action due to fear of litigation and court case.

This leads to a situation of losing the rental for the locker besides deneying the facility for a eligible customer. It appears that no one is showing any interest in this issue

Guruswamy K

[CASeetharaman KC]

This issue needs to be addressed at RBI level , you can give a complaint to Banking Ombundsman of your area

AI Summary

Unused bank lockers marked for rent arrears remain unopened despite regulatory guidelines, prompting escalation to grievance mechanisms. Banks mark some lockers with red 'RA' stickers for rent arrears when the hirer's whereabouts are unknown and, despite central bank guidelines for opening or reallocating unused lockers, often refrain from action due to perceived litigation risk; the suggested recourse is to escalate the matter to supervisory or grievance mechanisms to prompt enforcement of the regulatory guidelines and restore locker availability to eligible customers.