No ATM machine will be filled with cash after 9 pm in cities and 6 pm in rural areas with effect from February 2019, according to the latest directive issued by the Home Ministry.
The directive also mentions that the private agencies responsible for the operations should collect money from the banks during the first half of the day which should be then transported in armoured vehicles. For Naxal-hit areas, the deadline has been kept as 4 pm.
The rising incidents of attacks on cash vans, cash vaults and ATM frauds have led to the Home Ministry's orders which will be put to effect from February 8 next year.
The notification also mentions that every cash van must have one driver, two armed security guards and two ATM officers or custodians during transit. It added that one armed guard should be seated in the front with the driver while the second one should take a position at the back of the van. It said that under no circumstances, should the van be left unguarded during loading or unloading, toilet or tea breaks and at least one armed security guard should be present with the cash van at all times.
The ministry also said that a thorough background check should be done before appointing ATM officers. The background check should include police, Aadhaar and residence verifications as well as previous employment history, credit history and fidelity insurance of the officer. It also said that preference must be given to appointing ex-servicemen to provide security for cash transportation.
It also said that every cash van must be fitted with a GPS system and CCTV cameras and it should be noted that no cash van should take more than Rs 5 crore per trip.
