by Idrees Bukhtiyar
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Bank officials in Uri town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district are yet to make an ATM functional even after the passing of one month, causing hardships to the locals.
It was closed on August 11 following the suspension of two of its employees over alleged negligence in the misappropriation of around fourteen lakh rupees from the ATM.
An employee at the branch wishing anonymity said that bank officials were alerted on receiving frequent complaints from customers for not being able to make transactions through the ATM. “Earlier, it was believed to be a technical snag after checking the machine, we found that the cash amount of around fourteen lakh was physically missing from the machine,” he said.
Police had also taken up the investigation into the matter.
However, locals complained that they have been facing a lot of inconvenience in withdrawing the cash. “Since one ATM is closed while another one remains cashless for most of the time. We are suffering immensely,” said Mudasir Ahmad, a local shopkeeper.
Another local Tanveer Ahmad said that it is unfortunate that the closed ATM is yet to be made functional. “After giving a number of reminders to the bank officials nothing has been done so far,” he said.
Notably, there are only two ATMs in main town Uri in which one is lying closed while the other one remains out of cash for most of the time. The only functional ATM is catering for a population of over one lakh in Uri.
J&K Bank branch head Uri Fayaz Ahmad said, “I will meet the police officials today and seek permission to restart the ATM at the earliest.”
