NONGSTOIN: Forced to use the sole operational ATM of State Bank of India in Nongstoin, the locals are facing too many hurdles as hundreds of people are dependent on the single unit.
Several NGOs have demanded of the Chief Manager of SBI Nongstoin Branch to repair the non-functional ATMs in Nongstoin.
For almost two years, no action has been taken on the demand for more ATM machines at different locations in Nongstoin.
On June this year, the Chief Manager of SBI Nongstoin Branch had sent a letter to the AGM Office at Shillong, requesting for replacement of the ATM machines, and had assured that by September the matter would be solved. However, no action was taken till date.
Scores of SBI customers have raised complaints over the non-functional ATMs in Nongstoin.
SB Thabah, an SBI customer from Nongstoin, informed that out of the three ATM machines, only one is functional and the rest are non-functional.
Thabah said that SBI should install two more ATM machines in other locations as Nongstoin is a large town and one machine would not be able to cater to the needs of the people.
It was also discerned that residents from Riangdo had to travel to Nongstoin to withdraw money since there is no ATM machine in Riangdo. Coupled with this, Riangdo residents also face the hassle of standing in queue for a long time at the ATM.
Franklin Dkhar of Riangdo told The Shillong Times that the people of Mawshynrut have also been facing problems over making transactions since the area has only one branch of Meghalaya Rural Bank (MRB).
Dkhar informed that people have to stand in queues from 5 am for withdrawing or depositing cash while those that were a bit late had to return home without finishing their business.