Hyderabad, Aug 12 (IANS): Complaints related to ATM/debit and credit card transactions accounted for a majority among the total complaints received by the banking ombudsman in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014-15.

N. Krishna Mohan, banking ombudsman for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and principal chief general manager, Reserve Bank of India, Hyderabad, told reporters here on Wednesday that of the total 4,366 complaints receiving during the year, 25.4 percent were related to card (ATM/debit/credit).

The card-related complaints pertained to non-dispensation of cash from ATM, disputed online transactions and abnormal charges.

The card related complaints, however, are lower than the previous year (30.2 percent).

He said the total number of complaints has also come down by 2.48 percent compared to 2013-14.

The banking ombudsman at Hyderabad has jurisdiction over the two states, subsequent to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh from June 2, 2014.

State Bank of India and its associates accounted for the major share of 41 per cent of complaints received, while public sector banks, as a class, accounted for almost there fourths of the total complaints on account of their extensive branch network.

The share of complaints from rural and semi-urban areas increased in absolute number by 13 percent and 12 percent respectively, pointing to increasing awareness about the banking ombudsman.

The office of banking ombudsman examined 4,609 complaints during 2014-15 including 243 complaints carried forward from the previous year. Out of this 4,487 (97 percent) complaints were closed under various provisions of the Banking Ombudsman Scheme.