It was just a few years ago when ATMs were assigned the sole task of dispensing cash to the customer. Today the task list of the same ATMs seems to have elongated to quite a large extent.

Now cash dispensing forms only a small part of the varied tasks for which the ATM is used. Ranging from bill payment to payment of college fees, there is more to what the ATM does. In order to cash more on the multi tasking ability of the plastic card, regulator, Reserve Bank of India has brought in many changes to it.

From April 2009, free access to third party ATMs increased the usage even further. The free usage from third party ATMs is however restricted to 5 transactions per month with a ceiling on Rs 10,000. Beyond that Rs 18-20 is charged per transaction.

Last year, the apex bank also introduced a directive saying that any wrong debit made from the account of the customer due to failed ATM transaction can be reversed on filing complaint to the bank within 12 days of the occurance of the event.

In case the bank fails to do so, the customer gets entitled to Rs 100 as compensation per day.