New Delhi:
Finance Secretary Rajeev Kumar on Saturday denied the "baseless rumours" that Indian citizens need to declare their religion for opening of bank accounts and KYC purpose. The clarification comes after a news report suggested that Indian banks may ask depositors and customers to list their religion.
"There is no requirement for #Indian citizens to declare their religion for opening/ existing #Bank account or for #KYC. Do not fall for baseless rumours about any such move by Banks," Kumar said in a late evening tweet.
Indian citizens are not required to declare their religion in order to open accounts. Finance Secretary cum Secretary Department of Financial Services(DFS), Rajeev Kumar on Saturday warned people to not fall for baseless rumours about any such move by banks.
In a tweet today, Kumar said, "There is no requirement for Indian citizens to declare their religion for opening/existing Bank account or for KYC.
Do not fall for baseless rumours about any such move by Banks." A reply to the tweet had Twitter user Chayan sharing a picture of SBI account opening form and saying, "A/c opening form in SBI asks for religion. don't know if it is compulsory or can we leave blank."
किसी à¤à¥€ #à¤à¤¾à¤°à¤¤à¥€à¤¯ नागरिक को अपना #बैंक खाता खोलने या पà¥ÂÂÂराने के लिये या #KYC के लिà¤Â अपने धरà¥ÂÂÂम का खà¥ÂÂÂलासा करने की कोई ज़रूरत नहीं है। à¤ÂÂÂसे अफ़वाहों पर क़तई विशà¥ÂÂÂवास ना करें |@PIB_India @DDNewsLive @PTI_News @FinMinIndia @PMOIndia
— Rajeev kumar (@rajeevkumr) December 21, 2019
He also shared the link to the form in his tweet. It is worth mentioning that earlier today, reports surfaced that soon, banks may introduce a new column in ‘know your customer’ (KYC) forms where clients will be required to mention their religion.
The reason behind this was stated to be the recent changes made to Fema Act regulations, which extend the benefits of opening NRO accounts and holding property to select religious minorities, excluding Muslims.
A/c opening form in SBI asks for religion. don't know if it is compulsory or can we leave blank. https://t.co/mo3GQNLE2z pic.twitter.com/zv7mcVXKwO
— चयन (@Tweet2Chayan) December 21, 2019
However, Finance Secretary denied any such move by banks and said Indian citizens will note be required to declare their religion in order to open an account, for existing bank account or for KYC. Additionally, he warned people to not fall for such baseless rumours about any such move by banks.
