PMC Bank shocker: Save Banking System

Yesterday, I responded in the media about RBI action against PMC Bank. Moneylife and The Hindu Business Line published my response online. Print edition of HBL and Business Standard who received my response in letter format opted not to publish today. Today, I have sent the following to them again:
M G Warrier
Letters
September 26, 2019
Save Banking System
This refers to your editorial “Strengthen co-operative banks ” (September 26). This time around, one is afraid, the inept handling of PMC Bank mess may have an impact on the trust people had in the Indian Banking System since 1960’s. With the nationalization of major commercial banks (1969) and extension of coverage of the Banking Regulation Act to cooperatives (1966), common man believed that someone is in control of the banks in India and his savings deposited in banks were safe.
Obviously, the action initiated by RBI imposing restrictions in the functioning of the PMC Bank is with good intentions and aimed at protecting the interests of bank’s depositors. One objective of imposing a ceiling on withdrawal from deposit account with the bank is to guard against panic withdrawals which may cause a run on the bank. Fair enough. The ceiling of Rs1000 during the coming 6 months, possibly the result of a ‘cut and paste’ approach to drafting directions needs immediate review More transparency in such measures is needed, as today, the public trust in the financial system is not very high. The inadvertent efforts to destabilize the institutional system including the limbs responsible for regulation and supervision have also contributed to the present unenviable situation. The laws applicable to primary (urban) cooperative banks with multi-state presence and large clientele need immediate overhaul. “Cooperatives” remaining a state subject should not come in the way of regulating cooperative banks under the provisions of B R Act.
A related issue is, for the savers, the statutory provisions stipulating capital and reserves requirements including maintenance of liquid assets and the existence of deposit insurance (with a ridiculously low limit of Rs one lakh per account, though) are not found helpful in such situations. In this context, just as RBI has got its Economic Capital Framework (ECF) studied by an expert group chaired by former RBI governor Dr Bimal Jalan, GOI and RBI may consider appointing a panel of experts to study the capital and reserves framework of all banks including cooperative banks. The expert panel may also make suggestions on maintaining a national deposits protection fund under the aegis of DICGC to provide immediate relief to depositors in situations like this. A wholesale review covering adequacy of capital, liquid assets and reserves and realignment of their components may prove beneficial to the economy, as the exercise may release liquidity into the market.
M G Warrier, Mumbai

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM* According to astrology, the positions of the nine planets in the twelve constellations of the zodiac and their movements are considered to be quite significant. The nine planets ‘Navagraha’ affect every aspect of human life. They play an important role in the activities, physical and mental health and life of any individual. The unfavorable positioning of any of these planets can be the cause of problems, bad health, and stagnation for many people. However, there is a solution to avoid the ill effects of the position and movement of the ‘Navagraha’ in our lives. Navagraha mantras (or stotram) are simple mantras which work as powerful healing tools to reduce the negative effects of any of the nine planets. These mantras are Hindu holy hymn addressing the nine planets. Benefits Of Navagraha Stotram And The Way to Practice The Navagraha Stotram is written b y Rishi Vyasa and is considered to be the peace mantra for the nine planets. They are powerful m
Read more

THE SUNSET OF THE CENTURY

*SUNSET OF THE CENTURY: Rabindranath Tagore THE LAST SUN OF THE CENTURY SETS AMIDST THE BLOOD-RED COLOURS OF THE WEST AND THE WHIRLWIND OF HATRED. THE NAKED PASSION OF SELF-LOVE OF NATIONS IN ITS DRUNKEN DELIRIUM OF GREED IS DANCING TO THE CLASH OF STEEL AND THE HOWLING VERSES OF VENGEANCE. THE HUNGRY SELF OF THE NATION SHALL BURST IN A VIOLENCE OF FURY FROM ITS OWNSHAMELESS FEEDING FOR IT HAS MADE THE WORLDITS FOOD, AND LICKING IT, CRUNCHING IT AND SWALLOWING IT IN BIG MORSELS, IT SWELLS AND SWELLS TILL IN THE MIDST OF ITS UNHOLY FEAST DESCENDS THE SUDDEN HEAVEN PIERCING ITS HEART OF GROSSNESS…   *Note: “The Sunset of the Century”, translated by the poet, from Naivedya; The English Writings of   Rabindranathtagore, Volume II,Delhi 1996, page 466. Quoted in his article ‘Critiquing nationalism’ by K Satchidanandan (Frontline, November 14, 2014). The article takes you to a much broader spectrum. HAPPY READING(READ MORE STAN
Read more

The King of Ragas: Sankarabharanam

                       The King of Ragas                      --------------------------     Long ago  serpents were put to lot of hardships.They  were afraid of other animals. They had to seek refuge in the hermitage of sage Saraba.The sage was a true devotee of Lord Shiva.He used to pray Shiva with melodious songs. As he sang a particular raga the snakes were much inspired and they began to dance,. Slowly the serpents became friendly with the sage. They brought water in their mouths for the pooja.They secreted  a special fluid in which the flowers got stuck to their bodies.The sage was much astonished by the service of the snakes.As the sarpas became very close to the sage ,they requested him to help having Darsan of Lord Siva. As requested by the sage Shiva appeared in the form of  a  Kapalika and stayed in the ashram.The music and dance of the snakes continued. The snakes rendered service to the kapalika as they considered him  a Shiva bhakta.Shiva was much pleased with t
Read more