**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance to the Lok Sabha regarding the status of ATMs in aspirational and border districts as of March 2025. It details the number of ATMs operational in these districts and clarifies the government's approach to expanding banking services, including the Business Correspondent-Sakhi model. The document states that integration of Micro-ATM services with One Nation One Ration Card and DBT-related withdrawals is not currently under consideration.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **ATM Deployment:**
* Annexure I lists the number of ATMs in 112 Aspirational Districts, State/district-wise.
* Annexure II lists the number of ATMs in designated border districts, State/district-wise.
* **Micro-ATM and AePS Transactions:**
* Data on the volume and value of transactions conducted through Micro-ATMs and Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems (AePS) in aspirational districts is not centrally maintained.
* **RBI Policy:**
* Banks are allowed to set up ATMs at centers/places they identify, as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy on ‘Rationalization of Branch Authorization Policy'.
* Banks may deploy mobile ATM vans in unbanked or underbanked villages in border and tribal districts based on operational feasibility.
* **Banking Correspondent-Sakhi (BC Sakhi) Model:**
* Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) promotes the BC Sakhi model through identification, training, capacity building, equipment financing, and overdraft accounts.
* BC Sakhis receive an honorarium of Rs.24,000 for a maximum period of six months.
* **Micro-ATM Integration:**
* Department of Food and Public Distribution is not considering integrating Micro-ATM services with One Nation One Ration Card and DBT-related withdrawals.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Citizens in Aspirational and Border Districts
* **Impact:** The document provides insight on the extent of ATM coverage in their region. It also clarifies the limitations of available transaction data and the current approach to expanding banking services.
* **Action Required:** No direct action is required from citizens.
**Stakeholder:** Banks
* **Impact:** Banks are provided guidance related to ATM deployment in line with RBI policy.
* **Action Required:** Banks should continue to set up onsite/offsite Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) at centres/places identified by them as per RBI guidelines.
**Stakeholder:** Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
* **Impact:** MoRD has a role in promoting the Business Correspondent-Sakhi (BC Sakhi) model.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement various steps relating to identification, training, capacity building, certification, financing of equipment, providing them with overdraft account etc. to promote the BC Sakhi model.
**Stakeholder:** Department of Food and Public Distribution
* **Impact:** The Department of Food and Public Distribution should continue with their current processes as integrating Micro-ATM services with One Nation One Ration Card and DBT-related withdrawals is not under consideration.
* **Action Required:** No new action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Aspirational Districts: A government initiative to improve socio-economic indicators in 112 identified districts.
Border Districts: Districts bordering other countries, often having specific security and development needs.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs): Cash dispensing machines, focus of the question related to access in specific districts.
Micro-ATMs: Small, portable devices used by banking correspondents to facilitate financial transactions in remote areas.
Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems (AePS): A payment system that allows transactions using Aadhaar authentication.