PANAJI
Students and those working from home are not the only ones to suffer from poor internet connectivity.
Banks in many rural areas in the State have also been struggling to offer services to customers on account of poor internet facilities in rural areas.
Complaints about poor internet connectivity have been made by bankers and customers alike across the State.
"We have subscribed to BSNL and one more private service provider, but we are facing frequent connectivity problems and our services are hampered,” complained a branch manager at a nationalised bank in Siolim.
Advocate Aires Rodrigues has also complained about bank services at Ribandar.
"For years, the service at a nationalised bank in Ribandar has been pathetic. Due to lack of staff and poor internet connectivity, people having to wait at times for hours was the norm. The bank has been merged with another bank, but the poor and unacceptable service has just gone from bad to worse,” said Rodrigues.
Sources at RBI have also admitted the banks have been raising connectivity issues at joint meetings with telecom service providers since the last three years but said the internet connectivity has not improved.
Officials have said surprise checks will be done at various branches to ascertain the quality of services, besides connectivity problems.
However, GOACAN Convenor Roland Martins said network connectivity was not the only reason for poor service by banks.
"Reluctance of customers to organised opposition is one reason for non-performance by banks,” said Martins.
“First of all consumers only grumble and agonise. Now is the time to organise. Write your complaint in the Complaint Book at the bank. If there is no response, customers can write to the Regional or Zonal Manager. Postal and email addresses are displayed in the branches.
“If they are still not satisfied with the response, customers can write to The Banking Ombudsmen for Maharashtra and Goa. Details are posted in the Bank Branch and are available on the website of Reserve Bank of India (rbi.org.in),” Martins added.
