Dimapur, Nov. 16 (EMN): The 18th meeting of the state-level security committee (SLSC) for the state of Nagaland was held on Nov. 14. Abhishek Singh, Home commissioner of Nagaland, presided over the meeting, a press release informed on Thursday.
The meeting reviewed security and guarding arrangements for all bank branches, currency chests and security arrangements during movement of treasure, it was informed. Officials including KP Raghuvanshi, security advisor, Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai; BK Mishra, regional director for Northeast states, RBI Guwahati; and police officers, representatives of the CRPF, BSNL and other banks in Nagaland were in the meeting, the updates informed.
KP Raghuvanshi, security advisor, explained to the officials at the meeting that ‘security arrangements should be in place in all the banks.’ He said that the hotline facilities from the chest banks and police stations should be installed without any delay, the press release stated. He explained that the RBI can conduct training of police officials in detecting fake Indian currency notes. It was decided that the matter will be conducted in the month of January.
Home Commissioner Singh was stated to have said during the event that ‘guarding arrangements’ for currency chest for branches was being undertaken by the CRPFs and Nagaland police as per the requirement of the RBI. He stated that there was sufficient security arrangement during movements of treasure, it was informed. He expressed satisfaction that there have been no reports of any crimes at any of the bank branches nor had there been incidents of robbery or pilferage from ATM machines.
‘There have been no reports of any instances of seizure of fake Indian currency notes also. The meeting also reviewed the monetisation of bank branches in the state of Nagaland post- demonetisation,’ the press release stated.
‘It was observed that post demonetisation almost Rs 3044 crore of specified bank notes was deposited in the currency chests of Nagaland. Against this RBI has sent new currency notes of various denominations amounting to almost Rs 4483 crore in the currency chests of the state. Thus there is no shortage of currency notes in the state,’ the updates stated.
Further, the RBI was stated to have informed that final approval for opening currency chests at Longleng district has been accorded to the SBI; the SBI has been asked to take necessary steps to make it operational, the press release stated.
While there is no shortage of cash in the state, commissioner has requested both the nationalised and private banks to encourage cashless transaction and e-payments.
“As far as possible all government payments including GPF withdrawals, medical reimbursement and TA / DA bills must be released into the bank accounts of the concerned government servants,” the press release stated. Singh asked the banks to ensure “operationalisation” of temporary ATMs at Kisama for the Hornbill festival.
Further, the banks were requested to ensure “sufficient liquidity” in the ATMs and bank branches “in view of the enhanced needs” of tourists visiting the Hornbill Festival. “Banks should also install additional PoS machines and encourage Digital Payments during the Hornbill Festival,” the press release continued.
The banks have been asked to submit details of pending security bills of all branches not covered under the special destination scheme. The banks are directed to submit the details on or before December 14.
Further a committee has been constituted under the Special Secretary (Home) to review security requirements of 177 bank branches in the state and to determine which branches would need security fee waiver.
“Normally branches in commercial locations are expected to meet the security costs themselves,” the press release stated. The BSNL is also directed to see to the ‘functionality of hotline communications’ in four ‘chest banks’ immediately, the press release added.
