'15,653 complaints against pvt banks for excess levy of fees'

898 out of 2,786 complaints were related to ATM/debit card/credit cards

The Reserve Bank received as many as 15,653 complaints against private sector banks in 2012-13 (July-June) for deducting excess annual fees ATM cum debit card and other services from the accounts of their customers.

"There were 15,653 complaints received by the Reserve Bank of India under Banking Ombudsman Scheme for the year 2012-13 (July-June) against private sector banks, out of which 3,486 related to complaints against ATM/debit card/credit cards," Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena said in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Further, out of 2,786 complaints received since July 2013, 898 related to ATM/Debit card/credit card related complaints, he added.

"The majority of such complaints generally pertain to non/short dispensation of cash at ATMs, unauthorised credit card transactions through net banking, application of annual fees despite card being free, complaints against credit card due recoveries," he said.

He also said that representations have been received from some public Representatives seeking waiver of credit card dues.

The Minister said that a number of steps have been taken by the government as well as the RBI to resolve the complaints of customers, expeditiously, including those on excess charges.

"In order to improve customer service in banks, majority of recommendations of the Damodaran Committee have been implemented by the banks. A working group has also been constituted by the RBI to review and update the Banking Ombudsman scheme," he added.