RBI to banks: Get talking ATMs MORE ENTITIES ALLOWED TO IMPORT GOLD

Mumbai, May 21: All new ATMs to be installed by commercial banks from July 2014 onwards would provide audible instructions and Braille keypads to customers, Reserve Bank of India ( RBI) said on Wednesday.

The RBI’s directive came on its prior advice to banks in 2009 to make bank branches and ATMs accessible to people with disabilities and make at least one- third of the new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads.

“It is, therefore, reiterated that banks should make all new ATMs installed from July 1, 2014, as talking ATMs with Braille keypads,” RBI said in a notification.

“Banks should lay down a road map for converting all existing ATMs as talking ATMs with Braille keypads and the same may be reviewed from time to time,” it said.

RBI also asked banks to make necessary arrangements to provide all exist- ing and future ATMs with ramps so that wheel chair users or persons with disabilities can easily access them.

“Care may also be taken to make arrangements in such a way that the height of the ATMs do not create an impediment in their use by wheelchair users,” Reserve Bank said.

However, RBI said that this requirement may be dispensed with in cases it is impracticable to provide ramps.

Further, RBI also asked banks to provide the facilities of magnifying glasses at all bank branches for the use of persons with low vision.

The branches should display at a prominent place notice about the availability of magnifying glasses and other facilities available for persons with disabilities, it added. Mumbai, May 21: The Reserve Bank of India ( RBI) on Wednesday eased gold import norms by allowing select trading houses, in addition to already permitted banks, to procure the precious metal to boost exports.

The RBI in July 2013 had imposed severe restrictions on gold imports in order to check burgeoning current account deficit and sliding rupee. The RBI had tied imports with exports and prescribed a 20: 80 formula. It was available to select banks only and other entities were barred from importing the metal.

“Star trading houses or premier trading houses, which are registered as nominated agencies by the DGFT, may now import gold under 20: 80 scheme,” it said.