Refusal attest my passbook?

Question

As per the circular no. Vi/401/1/12/2013 issued by ministry of external affairs (Mea) bank passbook will be accepted as proof of address and photo identity  Thus banks are obliged to duly sign the passbook on request of customer. But in clear violation mr. M.Gandhi, senior manager, laxmi nagar, shakarpur branch, delhi refused to entertain my request at all. Instead unstuck my affixed photo from the passbook and wrote in red letters "this is not meant for id proof" with bank stamp and his signature virtually making my passbook useless for any future purposes. I hereby want new passbook to be issued and be duly attested and also strict action against such unruly manager.

Answer 1

Dear Aakash

At the outset, let me clarify that this site is designed and managed by a group of Senior Banking Professionals to assist Bank Customers at large to provide guidance for resolution of any complain/query/grievance in respect of financial services. This site does not belong to any Bank or a regulator, which may please be noted.

Please note that the banks would not be attesting the photos on passbooks as a matter of practice.  There is no such provision too.  However, if you want your photo to be attested, you can make an application on a plain paper, duly affixed with your photograph and request the bank officials / manager to attest the same, which is a rare practice, since there are other documents for your photo identity, viz., PAN card, Ration Card, Voter ID card, Driving Licence, Passport etc.  

Regarding the passbook being defaced, you can very well demand a fresh one from the bank, which they are under obligation to provide for, especially since they spoiled the same.

RAJA