Scan A/Cs, Update List of Terror Funding Entities, RBI to Banks
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks and financial institutions to examine all existing accounts to ensure that any entity or individual figuring in the UN list of terrorists or terror-related organizations do not hold an account.
“Banks, financial institutions are required to update the consolidated list of individuals, entities as circulated by Reserve Bank and before opening any new account, it should be ensured that the names of the proposed customer does not appear in the list.
“Further, banks should scan all existing accounts to ensure that no account is held by or linked to any of the entities or individuals included in the list,” the RBI said in a notification issued on Wednesday.
It may be mentioned that an identical direction was issued earlier in August to scheduled commercial banks and financial institutions asking them to be on vigil so that entities linked with Al-Qaida and Taliban mentioned in the United Nations could not open or maintain an account.
In October again, an instruction was issued to central and state co-operative banks to strictly look into UN-listed terror funding entities that could use banking operations in the country.
Likewise, market regulator SEBI had directed all stock exchanges and other securities intermediaries to keep a strict watch on UN-listed terror funding entities.
According to laid down rules, on receipt of particulars, the home ministry would initiate a verification to be conducted by the state police and the central agencies.
On confirmation that the properties are owned by for the benefit of the designated individuals/entities, an order to freeze the assets would be issued within 24 hours.
