I had a bad experience recently that made me look into ATMs across in the city and its surrounding areas. There are a number of ATMs installed which are very necessary, especially in these days on account of COVID virus spreading fact all over the world. The ATMs reduce the number of actual transactions between the bank employees and customers. Despite this, the banks, like other necessary services, remain at risk.
I was told by an employee of one of the banks that two of their employees already were positive and the staff is finding it difficult to cope up with the load. Also he mentioned that there exist at least two or three staff in other banks too, who have found themselves COVID positive.
Coming back to my bad experience, a few days ago, I went to an ATM and had the unpleasant experience of not receiving the money but my account getting deducted. I tried to withdraw Rs 6,000 and all functions could be heard properly functioning. However, as I heard the sound of the cash being ready to dispense and put my hand forward, there was a power failure and I did not receive the cash. I did receive an SMS notification that I had withdrawn the amount. I waited anxiously for about 38 minutes and power was resumed (as usual the Electricity Department efficiency has deteriorated) but money was still not dispensed.
This gave me a headache as I am a senior citizen. I tried to withdraw a smaller sum from the machine to recheck if I get my earlier money back but it had stopped working completely. Another man came by and tried and it did not work for him too. I finally went to another ATM and withdrew a smaller amount and took a mini statement which confirmed that the amount had been deducted from my account. What would have happened to those who had no balance at all in their bank and who needed the money badly they were supposed to withdraw?
Next day, I approached a nearby bank with my complaint in writing and the staff after checking their ATM told me the matter will be resolved in 2 to 3 days. I hope this happens.
This is ridiculous system. When the customer is not at fault why should they undergo such tension?
Apparently, the ATM failure was due to two reasons. Firstly, the machine has become old and could not resume its function after the dispensation of the amount was interrupted due to power failure. Other newer ATMs have such facilities available as they are fitted with inverter or battery backup. However, quite apart from the age of the machine, apparently this machine keeps on failing due to various reasons other than power failure.
This is a lesson for me to pick the newer machines in future. I actually had a choice between two machines — one of newer technology and the other one the one which failed due to aging. I remembered Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said these words that everybody is using as a catchphrase “bhivpachi garaz na” and I happily selected the old version which I was accustomed.
I suggest all old ATM machines must be discarded and technology to be improved so that ATMs continue to function after resuming operation to protect other customers like me.
