Leh, Oct 7: The Ladakh Administration has stepped up measures to strengthen the security of banking infrastructure and cash movement across the Union Territory, with particular focus on winter preparedness, counterfeit currency and operational gaps.
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra chaired the 6th Union Territory Level Security Committee (UTLSC) meeting in Leh, held under the aegis of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Regional Director for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Prabhakar Jha.
The meeting reviewed security arrangements at currency chests, bank branches and ATMs, besides protocols for the movement of cash and other valuables. Officials discussed guarding arrangements at currency chest premises, fire-safety measures, CCTV and other surveillance systems, and maintenance of security equipment.
Security arrangements at bank branches and ATMs, including e-surveillance systems, were also reviewed. The committee stressed the need for standardised protocols and closer coordination between banks, police and other agencies, particularly for cash transportation and emergency situations.
Kundra called for regular mock drills and preparedness exercises to assess the response capabilities of banks, police and other stakeholders. He also asked the RBI to share existing security guidelines and protocols with concerned agencies to ensure uniform compliance.
The committee proposed designating nodal officers from the police and banking sectors for faster communication and coordinated response on security, cash movement and ATM-related issues.
Winter preparedness received particular attention, given the impact of weather and connectivity constraints on ATM operations and cash movement in remote areas. The committee also discussed joint security workshops and training programmes for bank and police personnel.
The meeting reviewed the circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) in Ladakh, with emphasis on training bank officials to identify, detect and report counterfeit currency in accordance with prescribed procedures.
Officials were directed to identify security gaps, strengthen monitoring and ensure timely corrective measures in coordination with the RBI.
The meeting was attended by DGP Ladakh Anand Jain, senior police officials, representatives of RBI, CISF, Fire and Rescue Services, commercial banks, Airport Authority of India, Air India and other concerned agencies.
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