AGARTALA, Nov 23 (TIWN): Automated teller machines have made life difficult for last two months for residents of Gandacheerra instead of helping them 24 hours a day.

Only one ATM machine of UCO bank is available at Gandecheera. Far from being of any help, in an emergency or otherwise, the ATM is left out of order for last 2 months. The ATM counter is closed most of the time and if it is not link failure preventing residents from withdrawing money, the ATMs are perpetually out of cash. In entire Gandhachara sub division there is only one ATM. For last two months it is out of order. Hundreds of people are depended on the ATM counter located in the heart of Gandhachara bazaar.

The promise of 24-hour service falls short in any case. It is a pain visiting an ATM at Gandacherra. Link failure, non-availability of cash and other technical faults are so common at the ATMs in town that residents have stopped visiting the kiosk over past two months. The bank officials hardly pay any attention to the customers’ problems too. It’s really frustrating when the ATMs don’t work, especially in an emergency. People here have no option but revert to the old days of visiting the branch to get money.

Many of the payments under central scheme are made through bank accounts and if the ATM doesn’t work properly it becomes chaotic for people to withdraw money.

When talked with the UCO bank manager he said that the ATM service maintenance is not under the authority of the banks so they can’t take any steps. The UCO bank branch manager said FIS Company is looking after the ATM. They are not taking any initiative to repair the ATM ever after repeated notification.

A pathetic condition of Digital India, for past 2 months the ATM machine is left out of order and there is no assurance when will be the ATM run into service.