Prafulla Marpakwar, TNN, Jan 17, 2011
MUMBAI: The United Commercial (UCO) Bank has opened the country's
first lockless branch at Shani Shinganapur in Maharashtra, even as the
Centre has made hi-tech security mandatory for all nationalized and
private sector banks. Shani Shinganapur is a small village in
Ahmednagar district whose presiding deity is Lord Shani. More than
5,000 devotees visit the temple every day, while on weekends the
number crosses the 1 lakh mark.
"We took note of the general belief and faith of the people. Ever
since the most revered temple came into existence several years ago,
the village has not witnessed a single crime. In fact, all houses in
the entire village have no doors. We took the risk and started the
lockless bank a week ago," a senior bank official said.
Local NCP legislator Shankar Gadakh had approached a section of
nationalized and private banks about opening a branch in Shani
Shinganapur to facilitate the devotees. However, for security reasons,
most of them refused to oblige the NCP leader. "We then approached UCO
bank, which agreed. It is certainly taking a risk, but in view of the
peoples belief the bank has set up the branch," a senior NCP leader
said.
The legislator said bank officials carefully studied households in the
township before starting the branch. "All houses here have no doors.
We are following a more or less similar practice. Our branch has
doors, but they will never be locked. Adequate precautions are being
taken for the safety of lockers and important documents," he said,
adding that in months to come, the branch is planning to start an ATM
near the temple.
Gadakh explained that, by and large, it is believed that because of
Lord Shani's power, the village has not witnessed a single theft or
robbery in the recent past. "People here fear that if there is a theft
or robbery, then the culprit and their family have to bear the wrath
of Lord Shani," he said.
Meanwhile, unhappy local cops said the branch has been started in
violation of norms prescribed by the Centre. "In view of increasing
bank robberies, the Centre has made it mandatory for all banks to
provide state-of-the-art security. If a bank opens a lockless branch,
it amounts to a breach of conditions. We will take it up with the DGP
and RBI," a senior police official said.
Namaste
