Money dispensing machines in the city seem to be under continuous threat from miscreants however banks and security agencies have their own set of justifications for the security that is provided for the machine which they ironically deem to enough to prevent incidents of a certain magnitude.
Most of the ATMs in the city are guarded by security guards that do not look fit enough to do the work that has been given to him. Although banks feel that the guards provided by security agencies are not fit enough to thwart attempt to damage ATMs they pass the blame on security agencies. “This is matter of bread and butter for them so they do not invest enough on a security guard. At least a moral lecture by supervisor is enough to awaken their senses however even that is also missing in the training module,” said a Security Manager of reputed Public Sector Bank.
Ironically, the generic module prepared by security agencies which is incidentally based on the standard operating procedures (SOP) observed by banks doesn’t specify criteria for physical fitness for a security guard. However, security agencies hide themselves behind the same SOPs which are issued by a bank’s security team.
“It’s more about psychology behind the presence of a guard than security. We cannot foretell the magnitude of trouble so it is difficult to determine the level of training or the equipment that should be given to a guard. Moreover, our guidelines are guided by SOPs of a bank,” said an official of Indian Security & Management Services (IS&MS), a security service provider.
Besides, a bank doesn’t seem to be ready to flirt with the cost of outsourcing security and it in this light an armed guard outside an ATM can never become a reality. “It is not possible for a bank to stress for an armed guard outside their ATM. The cost of hiring an armed guard doesn’t looks a good proposition for them,” said the official of IS&MS.
Meanwhile, unidentified criminals have reportedly broken ATM of Axis Bank in lowadih under Namkom PS. According to sources, the counter was littered with wires and broken materials propelling the passersby to call the police. The police have taken Ramesh Munda, the security guard, in custody to inquire about to ascertain laxity on his party. The miscreants reportedly failed to flee with money.