Assam CM asks RBI and SBI to ensure smooth flow of funds

In view of problems faced by bank customers due to shortage of funds at ATMs following the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal took up the matter with RBI Regional Director B K Mishra today to take emergent measures for redressing customers' woes.
The Chief Minister called up the RBI Regional Director and urged him to solve the problem immediately, said a government release here tonight.
Mishra told the Chief Minister that already all steps have been taken so that bank customers no longer suffer any difficulty in withdrawal of funds at ATMs, the release said.

Further, to ensure availability of adequate funds for disbursal of remuneration to tea garden workers, Sonowal took up the matter with State Bank of India Chief General Manager PVSLN Murty, who informed the CM that the fund crisis has been successfully addressed and tea garden managements would be able to release remuneration to workers on time.
Meanwhile, as per government directions, Cachar district Deputy Commissioner S Vishwanathan has opened an account in SBI and United Bank of India and asked tea garden managements to deposit their workers' weekly wages in this account.
For this, approval was being taken from RBI to withdraw and distribute funds for the benefit of tea garden workers and the Assistant Labour Commissioner has been asked to liaise with tea garden managements and unions, Vishwanathan said.

Magistrates B C Nath and R K Dam were looking into it so that there was no misuse of this system, he said adding, this was a temporary step and would be discontinued after the situation becomes normal, the release said.