From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Dec 20: In the wake of the brutal attack by a machete-wielding man on a woman in the Corporation Bank ATM near the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) headquarters in Bangalore on November 19 morning, the efforts of the State Government to nab the culprit have not been successful even after a month despite the Bangalore City Police Chief enhancing the cash reward from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh even after a month.
The State Government ordered all the banks to provide round-the-clock security to all the ATMs in the city within 3 days or shut down and the deadline was subsequently extended by 45 days following the representations by banks regarding their inability to comply with the order.
In the meanwhile, the City Police Commissioner Raghavendra H Auradkar on Friday informed the Karnataka Legislative Assembly’s Petition Committee that the bankers have sought more time to install burglar alarms in the ATMs in the city.
Auradkar, who was questioned by the Committee chaired by Assembly Deputy Speaker N H Shivashankara Reddy, said bank managements had been given 45 days time (till January 12) to deploy security personnel, install CCTV cameras and burglar alarms.
A total of 400 ATMs were closed on account of non-deployment of security personnel, he said.
The police chief said banks have expressed their inability to install automatic locking doors at ATMs on account of technical difficulties.
However, a condition on the deployment of security personnel at regulated entry places such as Vidhana Soudha, malls and shopping complexes has been relaxed.
Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee advised the City Police Chief to suggest to the bankers to install door codes to prevent crimes.
Former Minister and BJP MLA, S Suresh Kumar, suggested that bankers should install only one ATM machine at a kiosk.
Auradkhar told the Chief Secretary that he would invite him to a meeting chaired by RBI security advisor next month when the concerns of the state government could be raised and discussed.
The City police chief said senior citizens helpline has been extended to Bangalore South also under the mega city plan. The NGO has been managing the helpline.