An automated teller machine (ATM) kiosk was launched at the head post office of Dhanbad district on Thursday to enable customers to withdraw money from their postal savings accounts whenever they wish.

Inaugurated by Dhanbad deputy commissioner Kripa Nand Jha on the ground floor of the post office in the coal town, the ATM kiosk is the first such facility introduced in the district.

"The kiosk will help customers to withdraw money without queuing up for hours," senior superintendent of Dhanbad postal division N. Sarkar said.

A security guard has also been deputed at the ATM kiosk to keep vigil and also help customers operate the machine.

Over 8,000 customers with saving schemes in the post office can use the ATM to withdraw sum after maturity. Customers will be able to manage their monthly income schemes (MIS), savings accounts, public provident fund (PPF), postal life insurance premium payments, pension payments and money transfer services, among others.

"We are having talks with banks and we may soon have the facility of using our debit cards in ATMs of different nationalised and private banks," he said.