SME Times News Bureau | 25 Jan, 2018
The government said the bank recapitalisation plan, revealed on
Wednesday, would focus 'sharply' on increasing bank lending to
the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.
"Taken
together, the recap & reform agenda is sharply focused on
strengthening PSBs, increasing lending to MSMEs and making it easier
for MSMEs and retail customers to transact as well as significantly
increasing access to banking services," said the financne ministry in an
official statement
"It
includes a commitment to banking services within 5 kms of every
village, refund within 10 days of any unauthorised debit in
electronic transactions, a mobile App for locating
banking outlets and a mobile ATM in every underserved district," it
added.
The government on Wednesday unveiled
details of the re-capitalisation of Public Sector Banks (PSBs)
announced in October, 2017.
Under
the plan, the
capital infusion plan for 2017-18 includes Rs.80,000 crore through
Recap Bonds and Rs.8,139 crore as budgetary support.
"This
plan addresses regulatory capital requirement of all PSBs and
provides a significant amount towards growth capital for increasing
lending to the economy," said
the government.
Economic
Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg said the recap plan would be
cash neutral and the bonds thus issued would be non-SLR (Statutary
Liquidity Ratio) and non-tradable.
The
recap would be accompanied by a strong reforms package across six
themes incorporating 30 action points based on the recommendations
made at the PSB Manthan held in November, 2017 involving senior
management of PSBs and representatives from Government.
The
reform agenda is aimed at EASE - Enhanced Access and Service
Excellence, focusing on six themes of customer responsiveness,
responsible banking, credit off take, PSBs as Udyami Mitra, deepening
financial inclusion & digitalisation and developing personnel for
brand PSB.