All banks must issue savings account pass book: RBI

Mumbai, Nov 4: The Reserve Bank Friday directed all banks to offer the pass book facility, without any charges, to all customers with savings account.

"It has come to our notice that some banks are not issuing pass books to their savings banks account holders (individuals) and only issue a computer generated account statement even when the customer desires pass book facility.

"Banks are, therefore, advised to strictly adhere to the instructions...," the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in a notification.

Under the existing rules, banks are expected to offer pass book facility to all individual savings banks account holders.

In case banks offer the facility of sending statement of account and the customer chooses it, banks must issue that on monthly basis.

At present, some of the private sector banks do not provide the pass book facility.

Meanwhile, in another notification, RBI has asked banks to ensure that demand drafts of Rs 20,000 and above are issued with account payee crossing.

"Instruments with account payee crossing are required to be credited to the payee's account and not paid in cash over the counter. However, some unscrupulous elements use demand drafts without any crossing for transfer of money as an alternative to settlement through cash," RBI said.

In view of concerns raised, it said, RBI reiterates that banks shall strictly adhere to the instructions and not collect account payee cheques for any person other than the payee constituent.

Banks may note that the above prohibition and relaxation shall also extend to drafts, pay orders and bankers' cheques, RBI notification said.

PTI