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MANGALORE: Will ATMs without security guards be shut down in Mangalore?

 Unlikely, since the diktat from the city police to all the banks — public, private and cooperative — asking them to comply with all instructions with regard to ATM security does not specify a time limit.

 Police commissioner Manish Kharbikar at a meeting held with bank officials said that they were told to fall in line with the government orders on providing security to ATMs. The meeting was attended by more than 50 branch, divisional and zonal heads

Deputy commissioner of police (Law and Order) KV Jagadeesh said, "Since we don’t have any written orders, we cannot shut down the ATMs without security."

 The directions include having CCTVs both inside and outside the ATMs, motion sensitive burglar alarms, card access control system for doors, in built camera in ATMs, proper lighting, security guards, extra security during cash escort and while filling in cash at ATMs.

 He said since the swipe access could be used by any person while another was withdrawing cash inside the ATM, the banks have been told to provide latch inside the ATMs. This will disable any other person from entering the ATM while the person inside is withdrawing cash or making any transaction.

 Another important suggestion made at the meet is to upgrade the software in the ATMs to enable sending of SMSs to the nearest police station in case a person swipes the card or enters password more than twice.

 A bank official said it is impossible to comply with the instructions as far as security guards are concerned as there is short supply of security guards. ``Other measures too will take time. We may have to shut down ATMs which don’t have security if the government issues a written directive,’’ the official said.

 Jayaprakash BJ, south Karnataka operations officer of Securitas said, "It is impossible to provide above four to five security guards at the moment. If the banks in the region require close to 100 guards, we will have to call for candidates and screen them. The process will take at least a month."

 His area of operations includes Mysore, Madikeri, Nanjangud, Udupi, Manipal, Karwar, Shimoga, and Chikmagalur and he has to monitor about 90 guards. ``If the banks request for gunmen we will have to specifically request persons with gun licences to apply. We don’t provide gun licences.Till now we have not got any calls from the banks for security personnel. If there is any it will be routed through our head office in New Delhi,’’ he said.

 To provide 24 hour security to an ATM will need three guards each with eight-hour duty time. This means that a bank will have to shell out close to Rs 24,000 to Rs 28,000 per month for one ATM.

 ``Since the banks have compromised on security detail in the name of cost cutting, this cost will see its way to the customers. Perhaps, while accessing the ATM, some parameters will be drawn to nullify the financial burden,’’ said a former employee of a public sector bank here.