RBI /2009-10/142
DBOD.No.Leg.BC. 37 /09.07.005/2009-10

 September 2, 2009

All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Excluding RRBs)

Dear Sir,

Display of information regarding Local Level Committees set up under the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999

Please refer to paragraph 11 of our Master Circular DBOD.No.Leg.BC.9/ 09.07.006/ 2009-10 dated July 1, 2009 on Customer Service, wherein banks have been advised to rely upon the Guardianship Certificate issued either by the District Court under Mental Health Act, 1987 or by the Local Level Committees under the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 (hereafter called Mental Disabilities Act) for the purposes of opening / operating bank accounts by the legal guardians for persons with disability that is covered under the Act. Banks were also advised to ensure that their branches give proper guidance so that the parents / relatives of the disabled persons do not face any difficulties in this regard.

2. In a case which came up before the High Court of Delhi, the Honorable Court has directed that all banks should ensure that their branches display in a conspicuous place (i) essential details about the facilities under the enactment (Mental Disabilities Act); (ii) the fact that the parties can approach the Local Level Committees, for the purposes of issuance of the certificate and that the certificate issued under the Mental Disabilities Act is acceptable; and (iii) the details of the Local Level Committees in that area. The Court has further directed that the information shall be displayed in the local language and English / Hindi (or both).

3. Banks are advised to strictly comply with the above orders of the Court. Banks are also advised to ensure strict compliance of the provisions of the Mental Disabilities Act. It may be noted that details of the Local Level Committees are available in the web-site of the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities i.e. www.thenationaltrust.in.

Yours faithfully

(B. Mahapatra)
Chief General Manager