Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Making banking a basic right

(from left) C. H. Venkatachalam, president of All India Bank Employees' Association, K. C. Chakrabarty, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and and P. Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor, The Hindu, in Kochi on Sunday. Photo: Special Arrangement
Bank unions have a crucial role to play in making banking a fundamental right. Unions are no longer adversaries of bank management, they are equal stake partners............

Read - The Hindu

Avoid arbitrary pricing of banking products & services, says RBI’s Chakrabarty

..........Banking services are now available in over two lakh villages, but about four lakh villages still have no access to the services. Banking services can be extended to un-banked centres in both rural and urban areas by leveraging on technology, he added. Arbitrary pricing of banking products and services must be avoided to bring these within the reach of the common man, he emphasised..............

Banking reforms leave cooperative banks in the lurch

The banking sector reforms in the country may gradually kill cooperative banks in Kerala, feel experts. Amendments to the banking law, coupled with the new bank licensing policy of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), pose a serious threat to the mass banking concept in the country, and particularly the state...........

Despite concerns, India to let corporates into banking

............India will soon allow corporate houses to open banks despite misgivings within the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as well as the International Monetary Fund that it could lead to risky loans if newcomers succumb to the temptation of lending to their related firms........

Entry of new banks will promote healthy competition, says PNB chief

.....The Reserve Bank of India might soon come out with its final guidelines on new bank licences, said Punjab National Bank Chairman and Managing Director K. R. Kamath.
The entry of new banks into the system would encourage healthy competition, thereby benefiting customers, he said......

A roundup of mobile banking apps for small businesses

......Today, mobile banking (m-banking) has become a credible mode to transact for a large number of small businesses. A number of private and government banks have introduced mobile banking applications, as they compete for small business customers who demand more user friendly and convenient services on their handheld devices. According to a recent report from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), 13 million people used m-banking services in the fiscal 2012. 49 banks were involved in 25.6 million m-banking transactions that were valued at Rs.1,820 crores in the same period..............

Banks can open A/cs for Bangladeshi nationals sans RBI nod

....."...it has been decided that henceforth, banks would be permitted to open NRO account of individual/s of Bangladesh nationality without the approval of the Reserve Bank," it said in a notification. The permission is granted subject to the conditions the bank should satisfy itself that the individual holds a valid visa and valid residential permit.............



LuLu group chief Yusuffali MA seeks RBI nod to buy 4.99 pc stake in Catholic Syrian Bank

........The proposed transaction will help Chanrichawla to bring down his holding in CSB closer to the 10 per cent cap set by RBI, from 18 per cent he currently owns. "I'm not a banker and I have no intention to control the bank... But if RBI allows, I will consider buying another 3 per cent," Yusuffali told ET over telephone. As on March 31, 2012, the bank had an asset base of Rs 12,047 crore and recorded a net profit of Rs 25.9 crore. ...........

'12 lakh PAN holders haven't filed returns'

Concerned about meeting the tax targets, the finance ministry has once again trained its guns on tax defaulters. While urging taxpayers to disclose their true income, the income tax departments has warned that it will be taking stern action against over 12 lakh PAN holders who have not filed their returns.............

Read - IE

Monday, February 11, 2013

Policy paralysis at Reserve Bank of India?

There are critical issues on which the RBI and govt differ but should it take three years to sort them out?
........The RBI first released a discussion paper in August 2010 and a year later, in August 2011, it issued the draft guidelines on new bank licensing, seeking public comments. Since then, it has been in discussion with the finance ministry to prepare the final guidelines. With general elections a year away, more delay in finalizing the guidelines diminishes the chances of issuing any licence this year. One wonders who is suffering from policy paralysis—the RBI or the finance ministry?..........

The Policy Muddles at Mint Street

The RBI (Reserve Bank of India) has been the master of all weather and seasons concerning India’s financial sector. It holds the pulse of the national economy with tempestuous effects. But even with all its prominence, the RBI has seldom crossed the contoured spirits which obfuscate the existing macroeconomic scenario. The scrimmages from its side are causing the fixture of topsy-turvy status in the policy domain, finally making the broad brush more frequent than the desirable spunky actions.............

Growing disconnect

.....The divide between the financial sector and the real economy has widened recently. Many would argue that the rise of the financial services sector, as indeed many other services, is part of a global trend which has seen the eclipse of manufacturing in the developed countries. In India too, the services sector has bloomed and contributes to a larger share of the GDP than the industrial sector. While the above could be elaborated, the key issue in India now is simply this. How does one explain the obvious disconnect between the stock markets and the economy?.........

Time for a national policy agenda - Subir Gokarn

....The investment-to-GDP ratio was relatively stable around 27 per cent in the few years before that period, but accelerated sharply to cross 30 per cent, peaking at 38 per cent, as I indicated earlier, in 2007-08. Now, there is a complex story behind this transformation, which only a much longer piece would do justice to. But there is one very important dimension to it, which is what I want to focus on here...........

Dailyzine to Digest................. A journey of VITALINFO.......


                                                                                                                                                                  
is grateful for your feedback...........

Follow Up – Women thieves, who had stolen Rs 8.25 lakhs valuables, nabbbed within few hours

........On Saturday morning, Pushpa Deshmukh (66), wife of Babanrao, a retired Assistant General Manager of RBI, lodged a complaint about her gold valuables worth Rs 8.25 lakhs stolen from her Surendra Nagar residence. She claimed that on Thursday afternoon, two women had come to her house claiming that they will help to make an aadhar card........

Read – Nagpur Today

RBI chief D Subbarao visits villages in Odisha's Bhadrak district


Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor D Subbarao visited Geltua and Jalanga villages in Bhadrak to assess the development in there. During his visit to these two villages, he  interacted with the members of the Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmers Clubs of Geltua village and also............


Bhadrak villagers air problems to RBI guv

.....After the Governor spoke about the benefits of the model village scheme, the villagers chose to air their grievances. "I had opened a no-frill account and subsequently deposited Rs 165. But, when I failed to deposit more money within six months, my account showed zero balance. On inquiry, the bank officials told me that my inability to deposit a minimum amount has resulted in zero balance,".............

The coming revolt of financial savings - S.S.Tarapore

......The government should take serious note of the decline in household savings in financial assets from 12.9 per cent in 2009- 10 to 10.0 per cent in 2010- 11 and further to 7.8 per cent in 2011- 12 (RBI Annual Report for 2011- 12). This should be a strong signal to the government to reverse its wonton policy of hurting financial savings. If the government persists in pursuing this disastrous path, there will be a faster decline in household sector savings in financial assets and a move to gold and other financial assets.......

Financial services firms must be kept out of banking sector: J Hari Narayan, Irda chief

.....The move to issue new bank licences has prompted conflicting reactions. While the idea of conglomerates floating banks has been welcomed as they have the financial muscle, there is also the fear that they could manipulate it to further their business interests and compromise depositors' interest. "Insurance and banking must be boring businesses and real jazz must be in investment, mutual fund and venture capital funds,"........

India’s economic struggles captured

.........Authored by Bimal Jalan, one of India’s well-known economist and former governor of RBI who has held several top positions in the ministries of finance and industry, it is an essential read for anyone seriously interested in the history and future of India’s development as a nation. The author provides a virtual tour of the manner in which despite numerous destabilising elements and political and economic struggles India has managed to secure a place in the global map...............

Not enough guards in currency for cash transfer

One lakh and counting... That’s the number of automated teller machines (ATMs) in India, both onsite (on bank premises) and offsite. And a whopping Rs15,000 crore is transported by road every day. But if cash management companies are to be believed, there just aren’t enough armed people to escort the cash load to and from these ATMs................


Call to increase retirement age of bank employees to 65

...........The retirement age for bank employees should be increased to 65 for better utilisation of the services of seniors, said INTUC national president G. Sanjeeva Reddy. Many officers were joining private financial institutions after their superannuation and extending quality services. The Public Sector Units were unable to make use of their services fully as they were retiring by 60, he opined...........

UFBU chalks out programmes for stir

.........A press release issued by UFBU district committee here informed that the committee chalked out programmes including branch visits, area wise conventions, street corner meetings and a centralised rally and a convention here on February 16 to mobilise support for the two-day strike..........

Corporate banks lack social responsibility: Vayalar Ravi

...........“Through the Banking Amendment Bill, corporate houses want to take control of the Indian economy. They do not have any social responsibility and the move to allow corporates to start banks is not good for the country. Banks play a crucial role in bettering the economy,” he said. The minister opined that the policies initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi should be protected. The minister added that the Reserve Bank of India should realise the importance of cooperative banks in the country........

Bank unions should work together with managements: RBI Deputy Governor K C Chakrabarty

"We need strong and responsible trade unions in the banking system so that trade union and managements can fight market forces and help in making services available to all. Banking services should be available at everyone's doorsteps,........


18 EDs in race for CMD posts in 9 banks

As many as eighteen executive directors of various public sector banks are in the fray for the post of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) in about nine banks.........

Non-performing assets in Indian banks

...........The change in the policy of choosing auditors by public sector banks from the empanelled list of audit firms, deviating from the erstwhile practice of appointing bank auditors by a committee consisting of members of the banking division of the Ministry of Finance, RBI and CAG is intended for ensuring level playing field among all Indian banks in respect of appointment of the auditors. In the present scenario, it has become all the more important for RBI’s mandatory inspection to act as an effective deterrent for banks not to resort to non-adherence to applicable prudential norms and less provisioning for NPAs.



Development in the future tense

...................The attitude of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and of the corporate world is as though Assam never existed all these years and is some kind of a contemporary discovery. On a recent visit to Assam, RBI Governor D. Subba Rao spoke of the need to raise credit to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and agricultural sectors and for the “deepening” of financial inclusion in Assam. It passes our understanding why this awareness has come about only now after all these years. Likewise, the RBI seems to have discovered only now that the credit–deposit ratio is very low in Assam at around 47 per cent, way below the national average of around 77 per cent. All these years banks have consistently hinted at poor recovery rates in Assam compared to some of the more advanced States of India in order to rationalize this discrimination. Instead of waking up to this gross discrimination only now, the RBI and other banks operating in Assam would have done much better by realizing that this was a problem of money management rather than anything else more serious. .................................

A study on Cooperative Banks in India with special reference to Lending Practices

...............At present there are several cooperative banks which are performing multipurpose functions of financial, administrative, supervisory and development in nature of expansion and development of cooperative credit system. In brief, the cooperative banks have to act as a friend, philosopher and guide to entire cooperative structure. The study is based on some successful co-op banks in Delhi (India). The study of the bank‟s performance along with the lending practices provided to the customers is herewith undertaken.................

Participatory-banking for equality before law in India

The secular system adopted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for banking and financial services in India is conflicting with the fundamental right to freedom of religion. RBI being a secular institution may not adopt any religious model of banking, but it is equally important that RBI should not make any law conflicting with any religion including Islam. So far the Government of India (GoI) and RBI have been reluctant to allow financial inclusion of Indian Muslims by resolving this specific conflict of secular banking system with Islamic laws.........

There is a Need to Revise Definition of NPA - Some Practical Suggestions

Banks are passing through a difficult phase.  Year 2012 has been a tough year and 2013 will also be tougher.    The major problem being faced by almost all banks, specially the PS Banks is the problem relating to NPA.   Most of the banks have huge hidden NPAs.  Therefore, there is a need for re-look at the present definition of NPAs.......

Read..........

Finance Ministry in talks with RBI for allowing PSUs to issue rupee bonds

The finance ministry is holding discussions with Reserve Bank of India on a potential sovereign bond issue, in a major review of its policy on direct overseas borrowing. The ministry is also simultaneously examining the possibility of state-owned entities, which have the backing of the sovereign, raising funds through rupee-denominated debt overseas,............

INDIA-OECD-WORLD BANK REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCIAL EDUCATION

Sunday, 3 March 2013
19.30 – 22.00
Pre-event dinner hosted by Dr. K.C. Chakrabarty, Deputy Governor, RBI
DAY 1 – Monday, 4 March 2013
8.30 – 8.50
Registration of Participants
8.50 – 9.00
Welcome Address by Dr. K.C. Chakrabarty, Deputy Governor, RBI
9.00 – 9.10
Opening Remarks by Ambassador Richard Boucher, OECD Deputy Secretary-General
9.10 – 9.20
Opening Remarks by World Bank representative
9.20 – 9.40
Keynote Address by Dr. D. Subbarao, Governor, Reserve Bank of India
9.40 – 9.45
Vote of Thanks by Mr. G. Gopalakrishna, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India

Read.................

Investment savings limit needs to be increased

The wishlist for the personal tax sector, which applies to individual taxpayers, includes increased savings limit for investments up to Rs 3 lakh, separate deduction for education expenses and revival of standard deduction...................

On reducing the old glitter

......Strangely, the report does not refer to an overvalued rupee making imports cheaper. It is worth recalling that at the height of the foreign exchange crisis in 1991, Manmohan Singh liberalised imports, cut import duties and devalued the rupee to launch the reforms process. The present thinking in RBI seems to run counter to that strategy, preferring a strong rupee, higher duties and import restrictions.

Debit cards set to cross 50 crore by 2015

.....However, this does not mean that Indians have yet decided to embrace cashless transactions in a big way, the study added. “The debit cards are largely being used for cash withdrawals and not much at the merchandise stores. The point of sales usage was limited to just about Rs 6909 crore monthly sales in December by the debit card-holders,”...............

Multiplicity of frauds keeps banks jittery

.......Most frauds in the Indian banking system occur at the channel partner's end. While banks have to strictly comply with several regulations, there is no mandated regulatory environment for merchants and retail stores where the card is swiped. Their systems are often hacked to steal customer details. Consumers are also ignorant. All these are adding fuel to fire,”.............

Cards and Frauds

There has been a spate of credit card frauds all over the world. Cards are being used in four continents while the holder is blissfully sleeping in another time zone. Why does this happen? Because no one follows instructions. Have you ever seen the salesperson at the desk compare signatures? In any case, it is difficult since the space given for your signature is so small that even a bad forgery can get by. The only solution is to make photo cards mandatory. And the photograph must be at least one-fourth the size of the card to give a proper perspective and opportunity to compare it with the person presenting the card. If even after this there are frauds where the holder is not even present in that town, the merchant and the company shall be liable, not the holder.


- T R RAMASWAMI, (ET)

Confronting cyberthieves

The refusal of the Maharashtra State Banking Ombudsman to intervene in a case of net banking fraud that left a customer poorer by nearly ten lakh rupees is bound to add to the anxiety of consumers who are afraid of falling victim to cybercrime. Much as plastic money and online commerce are convenient, they bring with them the baggage of security concerns. The banking and payment card industries, and enforcement agencies must respond to such incidents with alacrity..........

Have you been duped online?

.........Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) suggested banks disincentivise usage of cheques. RBI suggested measures such as setting limits, levying charges on issue of cheque books to account holders or levying charges on cheque usage, both by the issuer and beneficiary. However, given that frauds still happen, is this shift feasible or even desirable? More importantly, what are the precautions that customers and banks should take to ensure security?.............

RBI may tighten credit card norms

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to come out with new norms to ensure card safety. Bankers say that this is likely after a meeting RBI had with banks on Friday to discuss recent frauds in electronic payments. Bankers told RBI that two forensic investigators have been appointed to identify the source of fraud. The investigation is being done by banks that install card acceptance machines in merchant establishments.............

Damodaran panel likely to submit report soon on business climate

The Damodaran panel, comprising government officials and corporate honchos, looking into ways to improve the country's overall business climate is likely to finalise its report soon............. 

Exercise caution before you sign up for a bank locker

.......banks don’t have uniform norms for allotment. On paper or on their Web sites, many banks state that the criterion for allotment of lockers is that you should be a savings/current account holder of that bank. In addition, Reserve Bank of India’s ‘Master Circular on Customer Service’ (available on the RBI Web site) allows banks to obtain a fixed deposit which would cover three years’ rent and charges for breaking open in case of an eventuality. But in reality, you may not get a locker even if you fulfil both requirements..........

Tips to know your financial literacy quotient

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Inflation still high, says RBI Governor

.....Acknowledging the role of UCO Bank that has adopted Jalanga village under financial inclusion programme, Subbarao said, “After my first outreach programme here (in December 2009), UCO Bank has opened a branch which is catering to the banking needs of the entire population of Geltua gram panchayat. I’m informed that 84 SHGs have been formed at this gram panchayat. While UCO Bank’s Jalanga branch has tried all out to provide loans to the people, some are yet to avail credit." Earlier, Subbarao inaugurated the maiden ATM of UCO Bank here and also held an interactive session with a few SHGs (self-help groups). V Ramchandra Rao, Regional Director-RBI (Bhubaneswar) said, “UCO Bank opened a branch at Jalanga on January 6, 2010. The branch has extended advances of Rs 2.5 crore to 567 people. Total deposits of the bank have touched Rs 4.61 crore and 540 ATMs have been issued.”........

RBI says will reach consensus with govt

“When there is consultation, obviously, you have to take into account the other side, its viewpoints. We will come to a mutual position and then issue (the guidelines),”


My view on "Silence............ tension over pension......."


Congratulations to all those who took part in the silent protest. I feel there is no better way than to protest silently. After all, as retirees, we are all senior citizens and should set standards of protest. The silver line is that the protest has been taken note of the by the Central Board. If we persist with such peaceful and effective protests, the day is not far off when our efforts will fructify. Once again Congratulations to all the participants at Guwahati.

- S. Srinivasan, Cochin (via e-mail)

New bank licence guidelines “very soon”: RBI Deputy Governor

.....Reserve Bank is likely to “very soon” come out with the final guidelines on new bank licences as its consultation with the Finance Ministry on the issue is nearing an end, Deputy Governor Anand Sinha said on Friday. He also said the RBI and the Finance Ministry will arrive at a common position on issues like allowing brokerage firms and realtors into the banking space......

NDMA preparing norms for RBI to create codes for banks

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is in the process of preparing guidelines for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to create a set of codes for banks that provide home loans to ensure that only housing units that conform to prescribed safety standards can avail of loans............

New hub to deposit fake currency notes


The heart of the Capital not only houses the nation’s central bank but also, ironically, the biggest piggybank of fake currency in the country, highly-placed sources said on Friday. In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at reducing ‘unnecessary paperwork, formal communication and toil’, the Parliament Street police station, located a stone’s throw away from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has now been made Delhi’s nodal collection centre for fake Indian currency notes (FICN). “Earlier, as per guidelines issued by the RBI, banks across the Capital were supposed to deposit all the fake currency notes they detected at their branches at local police stations annually,” said an officer....... 


My View on "CRR = 900 km metro............."

Manohar Mahajan
It is unfortunate that despite being the head of the largest public sector bank, Shri Choudhuri talks like the accountant of a urban bank which is more interested in making money by lending money regardless of the purpose of the loan and background of the borrower. I fully agree with the views of Dr.T.V.Gopalakrishnan that earlier such executives - who do not have regards for regulatory prescriptions, leave would be better for the banking system. If the amount kept under CRR is also placed at the disposal of banks, it will go the same way as rest of the deposits have been deployed and a part of it would ultimately become NPA or written off. If something happens to the banking system as a spillover effect of international events, where the money would come from to support the banking system. CRR money acts as a cushion, injects liquidity in the banking system as and when it is needed and is an important monetary policy measure. By criticising CRR, Shri Choudhuri ,it seams , is playing more to the gallaries rather than doing any service to the Indian banking system. Perhaps, he may be having some different designs and continue to find fault with RBI’s actions so as to fulfill his ambition. 
--------


M.G.Warrier
Read this IMF view reported in HBL on February 7:
“..with the Fund estimating that a 10 percentage point reduction in the effective SLR likely lowering the borrowing costs for the private sector by around 100 basis points(BPS), while increasing the borrowing costs for the government by 50 bps over the medium term. IMF contends that reducing the effective SLR by 10 percentage points would reduce foreign borrowing by corporates by around four per cent in the medium term.”
I am leaving it to the readers to guess whose brief IMF is carrying. We will soon hear an echo of whatever is contained in the IMF note from the North Block despite feeble objections raised by Rakesh Mohan and Janak Raj.

Welcome RBI initiative

...........But a perusal of banks’ websites reveals that they have not followed RBI directive to make details of unclaimed funds public. A period of ten years allowed for banks to utilize unclaimed funds is too much which should be reduced to three years as is the system in case of unclaimed dividends of companies. Necessary amendment should be done in Banking Laws.

Read - Kashmir Times

Growing at five per cent

.....The Finance Ministry’s mid-year economic analysis (December 2012) sharply lowered the Economic Survey’s exaggerated estimate of 7.6 per cent to between 5.7 and 5.9 per cent but even that — as well as the usually more conservative Reserve Bank of India’s revised forecast of 5.5 per cent — look overly optimistic.......

Don’t allow loans for gold buy: RBI tells co-op banks

......“In view of the concerns…,it is reiterated that state and central co-operative banks should not grant any advance for purchase of gold in any form, including primary gold, gold bullion, gold jewellery, gold coins, units of gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and units of gold Mutual Funds,” RBI said in a notification............

Bankers want SLR reduced if HTM bond limit is cut


Bankers have asked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to cut the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) limit if it also considers reducing the Held-To-Maturity (HTM) limit of banks. In a meeting of chief financial officers (CFOs) of public sector banks with RBI today, the central bank sought feedback on the idea of reducing the HTM limit. The CFOs suggested a cut in the SLR limit from the present 23 per cent, so that the impact on banks’ balance sheets was minimal. RBI has been in favour of reducing the HTM, whose upper limit is 25 per cent of SLR securities but it is traditionally aligned to the SLR ratio.......

Manager tells fraud victim bank helpless in face of virus attacks

......"What shocked me the most was when the manager at the bank's Malad branch told me that my debit card had been cloned after my data got compromised in a malware attack that took place in the bank," Kavathe said. "The manager was clueless when I asked him what was the guarantee my new card would not be cloned. He said the bank was unable to solve the problem of virus attacks and customers' confidential data being stolen.........

'Secure systems to tackle card frauds'


Taking serious note of increasing instances of credit card frauds, the Reserve of Bank of India (RBI) said it would probe such incidents. It also asked banks to investigate such cases and take steps to plug loopholes. “We have to find out how it has happened, where it has happened and then take corrective action,” RBI Deputy Governor Anand Sinha said.
He conceded that the magnitude of the frauds is large and said the central bank would consult with other banks to deal with the situation..............

Int'l debit cards to blame, too


Banks are also responsible for the global credit card fraud, to some extent. Earlier, banks used to issue only ATM cards and then came ATM- cum- debit cards. Now, the option of only ATM cards has disappeared and banks are forcing account holders to have international debit cards, whether they need it or not. This international debit card can also be used in ATMs. The Reserve Bank of India should look into this matter. It must also take action against nationalised and private banks, with the exception of cooperative banks, as the former are guilty of this practice.

- Deendayal M Lulla (FPJ)

What changes in Income Tax rates would you suggest in the forthcoming Budget?

As the Union Budget for 2013-14 approaches, all individuals eagerly await to know about the one aspect that affects them most - Income Tax.

Record your comment here.........

Cabinet okays amendments to NABARD Act, 1981

........The decision of the Government to transfer the balance one percent shares to the Government of India from RBI in NABARD shall be carried out, which will provide for increased public accountability, as the Government will acquire the equity held by RBI.  NABARD will combine the post of Chairman and the post of Managing Director, into one, Chairman and Managing Director to ensure a distinct line of command. ...........

Empowering women in agriculture

...... Therefore, it is exceedingly important that we re-examine the current status of women’s empowerment in the field of farming. This is the purpose for which I introduced the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill is, however, yet to be discussed. I congratulate the author for highlighting the need for women’s empowerment in the field of agriculture.

Friday, February 8, 2013

RBI to take into account low growth, budget in next policy

......."We have taken note of roadmap for fiscal consolidation put out by the Finance Minister. And like everyone else in the country and around the world, we are also looking forward to the Budget to have a better understanding of how fiscal consolidation could be done on the way forward,..........

RBI for change in laws to deal with fake currency menace

GUWAHATI: The Reserve Bank today said it is in talks with the government to amend the relevant laws to ensure that persons generating fake currency are punished and not those who possess such notes innocently. "We are in negotiations with the Government of India on how this law can be reviewed and changed so that the responsibility for the fake currency is actually on the people who are responsible for generating the fake currency," RBI Governor D Subbarao told reporters after the board meeting here...........

RBI to investigate circulation of foreign currencies


The Reserve Bank will probe into the alleged circulation of Bhutanese and Nepali currencies in some parts of lower Assam and North Bengal, Governor D Subbarao today said. "Using foreign currency on Indian territory is illegal. Currency Supply Regulation Movement is in order. "But there might be some problems is certain parts of the country and we should try to take care of that. I am asking our Regional Director to check on that," Subbarao said while responding to queries in this regard..........

Silence............ tension over pension.......


Silent protest on (i) opening of option for pension and (ii) updation of pension with placards was carried out peacefully before start of the Central Board Meeting at Guwahati today. Board Members including Governor were impressed by our protest. After the members were in for the Meeting, Mr. Samir Ghosh, General Secreary of All India RBI Employees' Association addressed the gathering at bank' entrance. He congratulated retirees as well as serving staff for coming in large numbers for the silent protest. Further, the Members of Central United Forum also addressed the retirees inside the canteen hall of RBI. All of them congratulated the aging retiring employees coming in very large number and standing with placard for the silent protest. 


- U.N.Deka (via e-mail)
(Forwarded by L.R.Parab)

COMING FULL CIRCLE

.....If MFIs are to return to their earlier prime position, they will have to bring in more efficiency in their operations so that their profitability is at a level the stock markets will get excited about. But will that mean Round II of the SKS fiasco?.........

Central Government nominates Dr. Urjit R. Patel on SBI board

.......the Central Government, vide its notification dated. February 06, 2013, has nominated Dr. Urjit R. Patel, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, to be a Director on the Central Board of Directors of State Bank of India with immediate effect and until further orders vice Dr. Subir Vithal Gokarn.

My View on "CRR = 900 km metro, 25% larger economy"


This is typical of a commercial banker always thinking of investment and making profit. He forgets for a moment that if commercial banks are allowed their way, many may not exist to make that investment and profit. So many King fisher  like companies would take the hard earned money of small people which are kept as deposits with the banks  and vanish from the scene. Mr Choudhari should go back to his own banks, balance sheet and observe that the bad debts written off by the bank and the NPAs of the bank had been avoided, more metros, more roads and more infrastructure, the economy would have got. If the entire banking system's bad debts write offs and NPAs are avoided by better functioning, the fiscal deficit could have been easily wiped our in one stroke and the economy would be running a surplus. Earlier such bank executives leave the system the better for banks and the financial system to have some semblance of stability and soundness.They are not matured enough to appreciate the efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory system despite having witnessed the financial turmoil the advanced economies has faced in the year 2008. Such top executives act as a hindrance to transmit the monetary policy mechanism as they never act in letter and spirit as the Reserve Bank as a worldly recognised regulator and promoter of sound banking and financial system desires. This is unfortunate and the governor has not been lucky enough  to have the backing and support of major bankers. Even some of his own lieutenants seem to be not in agreement with his way of thinking in policy matters as is made out and reported in media. With all these, the RBI has been  a success in maintaining its status as a good regulator and a central bank.


- Dr.T.V.Gopalakrishnan

RBI focus on small industry


Guwahati, Feb. 7: The Reserve Bank of India today emphasised on raising credit to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and agriculture sectors and “deepening” financial inclusion in Assam. Addressing newspersons after the apex bank’s central board meeting here this afternoon, RBI Governor D. Subbarao said he had met Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi yesterday and discussed issues relating to greater penetration of banking facility in unbanked villages with a population of over 2,000, increasing credit to MSME sector and curbing unincorporated bodies from collecting money through fraudulent offers....................


Chairman appointment norms in govt banks relaxed

.........Now, a candidate who has served the executive director’s position for minimum 6 months has will become eligible. Initially, a candidate who served as 2 years as ED were eligible for becoming a chairman, which was later reduced to 1 year. However, this year if the 1 year ED criteria was applied only nine candidates were eligible while the number of CMD positions that will fall vacant in 2013-14 is also nine..........

Time we raised direct taxes - S.S.Tarapore

..........The Indian fisc is highly regressive in that tax receipts are approximately equally divided between direct and indirect taxes. It is one thing to enhance ‘sin’ taxes (liquor and tobacco) and quite another to raise indirect taxes across the mass consumption basket. As part of distributive justice, the Government should bite the bullet and tighten direct taxes where there are glaring gaps, while easing the burden on the relatively vulnerable segments. A higher income tax slab of 40 per cent could be introduced for annual incomes above Rs 25 lakh. Responsible industry leaders in the US, Germany and France have themselves suggested higher taxes for the ‘super-rich’........