Mangaluru: DK Co-op banks need to have better security - SP

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 10, 2015:  Thefts  at  cooperative banks in the region has given rise for better  security systems at cooperative banks in Mangaluru and other parts of the area.  Gold ornaments, pledged by customers, and cash  were taken away from co-op bank branches in recent thefts.

DK Superintendent of Police Sharanapppa S.D., who heads the District committee on Banking Security said that theft in Kasaragod is a warning bell for cooperative banks to spruce up security measures.

The poor security prevailing  surfaced following the theft of 7 kg gold ornaments and Rs. 1.4 lakh from the Bhagawati Cooperative Bank in Bantwal on January 12. It was revealed that this cooperative bank had not installed closed circuit television cameras and did not have a private security guard. This led SP  Sharanappa to call a meeting of bankers in the district in August.

There are around 115 bank branches  operated by Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies and five Primary Agriculture Cooperative Rural Development Banks in the district. There are eight Urban Cooperative Banks. At least 40 multipurpose cooperative societies and 25 employees cooperative societies in the district.

DK SP  Sharanappa touched on installation at bank branches and ATMs  on  having good quality CCTVs that comes with facility for longer storage of visuals. He also pointed out on having better lighting in the area that helps in getting clear images of the persons entering the banks and the ATMs. The guards posted on the banks and the ATMs should be from agencies approved by the State Police and they should not be overworked. He had also asked banks to upgrade their systems to prevent cyber thefts.   SP Sharanappa had given time till September 30 for banks to submit report of compliance.

The SP said that he is  yet to receive reports complying with security.  Police Commissioner S. Murugan said that there are many cooperative banks that do not comply with even 10 per cent of the mandatory security measures prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.