It has always been a scourge for commercial banks to accept utility bills as they always concoct novel ways to circumvent the instructions which prevail in this regard. City Central Branch, Karachi of United Bank Limited (situated opposite Central Police Office) has contrived innovative plan to deter acceptance of utility bills. Inspite of having abundant and vacant counters for tellers within the premises, the utility bills are being accepted in a place completely separate from the branch and situated after covering a considerable distance in a dark alley after crossing the parking lot for motorcycles. It is no coincidence that utility bills are being accepted in an unsuitable place as one would never find them having a revenue generating activity like cash deposit, withdrawal, DD/PO at such unsuitable place.
The honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan had taken suo moto action in which banks were advised to accept utility bills coupled with provision of drinking water and shed. Yet branches like City Central Branch, UBL, Karachi, come up with ways and means to deter acceptance of utility bills. Can the State Bank of Pakistan situated nearby take cognizance of such practices or it would be left for the honorable Supreme Court to take another suo moto action?
SADIA ADNAN
Karachi
