5th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2015-16
- The policy repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) remains unchanged at 6.75%;
- The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks unchanged at 4.0% of Net Demand and Time Liability (NDTL);
- To provide liquidity under overnight repos at 0.25% of bank-wise NDTL at the LAF repo rate and liquidity under 14-day term repos as well as longer term repos of up to 0.75% of NDTL of the banking system through auctions; and
- To continue with daily variable rate repos and reverse repos to smooth liquidity. Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF will remain unchanged at 5.75% and the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 7.75 %.
Top Stories
NRIs can subscribe to pension fund
To enable income security to old-aged Indians living abroad, RBI has allowed NRIs to subscribe to the National Pension System (NPS) as an investment option for NRIs under FEMA, 1999. NRIs may subscribe to the NPS, provided such subscriptions are made through normal banking channels and the person is eligible to invest as per the provisions of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Act.
PM launches Gold Monetization, Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme and India Gold Coins
The Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has formally launched the Government’s Gold Monetization Scheme, Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme, and India Gold Coins. The Prime Minister said that the gold available with the country should be put to productive use, and these schemes show us the way to achieve this goal. He said gold can be a great tool for women empowerment and that they would be the biggest beneficiaries of the new schemes. He further
added that the reason behind the success of these schemes will be the women of India. He also said that the gold bonds will be more beneficial than physical gold. Shri Narendra Modi described the launch of the India Gold Coins, bearing the Ashok Chakra, as a matter of pride for the nation. He said people would no longer have to depend on foreign minted gold bullion or coins.
Banking Policies
RBI issues operational guidelines for gold bonds
Commercial banks and post offices will now have additional responsibilities of maintaining subscription records for sovereign gold bonds as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated some operational procedures for them. Receiving offices will be required to preserve applications till the bonds are matured and repaid. Scheduled commercial banks can engage Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs), NSC agents and others to collect application forms on their behalf. Receiving offices, i.e. branches of the scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) and designated post offices will own the customer and provide necessary services with regards to this bond.
Relaxation of facilities for residents for hedging of foreign currency borrowings
RBI has allowed residents having a long-term foreign currency liability to enter into foreign currency rupee swaps with Multilateral Financial Institutions or International Financial Institutions (MFI/IFI) in which the Government of India is a shareholding member, subject to certain conditions. Such swaps could be undertaken by the MFI/IFI on a back-to-back basis with an Authorized Dealers (AD) Category-I bank in India. The tenure of these swaps should be at
least three years.
New Priority Sector Lending target
In the wake of low monsoon this year, RBI has reduced the average Priority Sector Lending (PSL) target for banks to 11.57% for FY16 as against 13.5% set in July this year. The target is a system-wide average of the last three years’ achievement in overall direct lending to non-corporate farmers.
RBI allows banks to fix value for factoring business
Banks may carry out the business of factoring departmentally, without obtaining the prior approval of RBI subject to certain conditions. RBI has advised that banks offering factoring services may themselves decide percentage of the invoice to be paid upfront based on their own assessment of the credit worthiness of the buyer, due diligence carried out by them and other commercial considerations.
Foreign banks can now deploy four expats in each branch
RBI has relaxed the numerical restriction on the engagement of expatriates by foreign banks in view of the operational difficulties being faced by them in doing business in India. Now a foreign bank can deploy a maximum of four expatriates for each branch opened in India and not more than six expatriates for their Head Office functions. The other instructions with regard to the posting of trainee officers and remittance facilities by the expatriate officers in Indian branches remain unchanged.
Banking Developments
Interest on Rupee-denominated offshore bonds to attract 5% withholding tax
The Finance Ministry has clarified that interest income on rupee-denominated offshore bonds of
Indian companies will attract a withholding tax of 5%. In the case of non-resident investors, withholding tax at the rate of 5%, in the nature of a final tax, would be applicable just as it is applicable for offshore dollar denominated bonds.
RBI allows lenders to short sell Government Bonds
RBI has allowed banks (or custodians) to short sell in the government bond market with primary
members or individual bank customers, who invest through lenders, holding a kind of depository account with the RBI. This move is aimed at drawing retail participation. A custodian may undertake a short sale transaction with its General Account Holder (GAH) within the permissible short sale limits. A custodian may put through a cover transaction with a GAH to square a short sale transaction in the related security undertaken with a market participant other than its GAHs.
Sovereign Gold Bonds issue price at `2,684/gm
The Government of India has announced that the Sovereign Gold Bond will be open for subscription. The issue price of the Sovereign Gold Bond for this tranche has been fixed at `2684 (Rupees Two Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty Four) per gram of gold. The rate has been fixed on the basis of simple average of closing price for gold of 999 purity of the previous week October 26-30, 2015) published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA).
Set up an ‘Insolvency Regulator’: Dr. TK Viswanathan Committee
The committee on Bankruptcy Law Reforms headed by Dr. TK Viswanathan has proposed an easy exit option for low-income individuals unable to repay debts. The comprehensive draft called ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Bill’ envisages two distinct processes –
Fresh Start and Insolvency Resolution – to deal with individual bankruptcy. In the Fresh Start process, individuals with income and assets lower than specified thresholds (annual gross income not exceeding `60,000 and aggregate value of assets not exceeding `20,000) shall be eligible to apply for a discharge from their qualifying debts. In the Insolvency Resolution Process, the reditors and debtor will negotiate to arrive at an agreeable repayment plan for composition of the debts and affairs of the debtor, supervised by a resolution professional. The committee also proposes to establish an Insolvency Regulator to exercise regulatory oversight over insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies and informational utilities.
RBI extends deadline for Bharat Bill Payment applications
The Reserve Bank of India has extended the last date for receiving applications for authorising Bharat Bill Payment System Operating Units (BBPOUs), to December 18, 2015 from the earlier November 20,2015. Bank and non-bank entities presently engaged in the bill payment activities covered under the current scope of Bharat Bill Payment System (BPPS) can participate either as Bharat Bill Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs) or as agents of authorised BBPOUs. Those desirous of becoming BBPOUs will necessarily have to apply within the extended timeline.
RBI issues Directions for obtaining Prior Approval for Acquisition of Shares in Private Sector Banks.
A person intending to acquire shares or compulsorily convertible debentures/bonds or voting rights or convert optionally convertible debentures/bonds of 5% or more in a private sector bank, he/she will have to apply to the Reserve Bank for obtaining its prior approval. The major shareholders that is, shareholders having 5% or more of the paid-up share capital of the bank would have to give an annual declaration to the bank concerned on their ‘fit and proper’ status and if in the bank’s assessment any major shareholder is not ‘fit and proper’, it will have to immediately furnish the requisite information to the Reserve Bank. The applicant’s integrity, reputation & track record in financial matters and compliance with tax laws, will be a barometer to judge the fit and proper criteria.Where the applicant is a body corporate, its track record for operating will be seen in a manner that is consistent with the standards of good corporate governance, financial strength and integrity, apart from the assessment of individuals and other entities associated with the body corporate.
RRBs can provide internet facility
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) will now be allowed to provide basic internet banking facilities to its customers. The facility will be strictly for non transactional services, such as balance enquiry,
balance viewing, account statement download, request for supply of cheque books, etc. No online fund-based transactions will be allowed. RRBs providing such facilities must have Capital to Risk (Weighted) Assets Ratio (CRAR) of not less than 10% and net worth of `100 crore as on March 31 of the immediate preceding financial year and must have no accumulated losses.
Also, the gross NPAs must be less than 7% and net NPAs not more than 3%.
Currency swap for SAARC members
The Union Cabinet has given approval for the proposal to provide a two year extension with amendments to the framework on ‘Currency Swap Arrangement’ for SAARC member countries up to November 14, 2017, and extension thereafter, if necessary. Under the facility, RBI offers swaps of varying sizes to each SAARC Member countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh,Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) depending on their two months import requirement and not exceeding US$ 2 billion in total, in USD, Euro or INR.
RBI relaxes guidelines for aircraft and chopper imports
RBI has told banks to ensure that only the requisite approval of Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for import of aircrafts/helicopters in terms of the extant Foreign Trade Policy has been obtained by the company for operating Scheduled or Non-Scheduled Air Transport Services (including Air Taxi Services).
RBI allows foreign investors to acquire distressed bonds
RBI has allowed FPI to acquire NCDs/bonds, which are under default, either fully or partly, in the repayment of principal on maturity or principal instalment in the case of amortising bond. The revised maturity period of such NCDs/bonds, restructured based on negotiations with the issuing Indian company, should be three years or more. The FPI which propose to acquire such NCDs/bonds under default should disclose to the Debenture Trustees the terms of their offer to the existing debenture holders/beneficial owners from whom they are acquiring. Such investment should be within the overall limit prescribed for corporate debt from time to time (currently Rs. 2443.23 billion). All other existing conditions for investment by FPIs in the debt market remain unchanged.
RBI doubles Non-Banking Financial Company – Micro Finance Institutions lending limit for longer tenure loans
NBFC microfinance lenders can now give loans of up to `30,000 for tenure not less than 24 months as RBI has doubled the limit for these debts. RBI has notified that all loans necessarily be pre-paid without any penalty, as hitherto.
Only established foreign reinsurers can set up India branch office
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) have specified that only those foreign reinsurers who have been in the reinsurance business for 10 years, can set up branch offices in India Appointment of Chief Executive Officer and other Key Management Personnel, including remuneration, of senior management in this branch office will need IRDAI’s nod. The applicant has to be registered or certified in a national regulatory environment and should have signed the double-taxation avoidance agreement with the Government of India.
IRDAI fixes third-party motor insurance for e-carts, e-rickshaws
The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2015 brings e-carts and e-rickshaws under its ambit. E-carts /e-rickshaws are special purpose battery powered vehicles not exceeding 4000 watts, having three wheels for carrying goods or passengers, as the case may be, for hire or reward. IRDAI has fixed premium for third-party motor insurance for e-carts and e-rickshaws at `1,066 to `3,257 depending on the type of vehicle. Also, two-wheelers carrying passengers on hire will have to pay premium between `702 and `1615 depending on engine capacity.
Norms relaxed for claiming personal accident cover under RuPay Cards
Under PMJDY, RuPay Debit Card with an inbuilt accident insurance cover of `1 lakh is also provided to account holders. National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has extended 45 days usage condition to 90 Days for RuPay Classic cardholders with effect from 25th November 2015. As on 20th November 2015, out of 697 claims lodged under accidental Insurance under RuPay Debit Card in PMJDY accounts, 644 claims have been disposed off.
Economy
World Bank retains India growth forecast for 2015- 16 at 7.5%
The World Bank retained its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projection for India at 7.5% for the current financial year, despite an unfavourable external environment which has hurt the country’s merchandise exports. India’s growth is expected to gradually accelerate to 7.8% in FY17 and 7.9% in FY18. The country’s economy grew by 7.3% in FY 15 and by 7% in Q1FY16.
Prepared to deal with external risks: Finance Ministry
The Finance Ministry has stated that India is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality due to volatility in global financial markets. The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC), headed by Finance Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley, also deliberated on the issue of rising bank NPAs, corporate sector balance sheet stress and their impact on the bond market. High volatility in the financial markets is one of the most prominent risks threatening emerging market economies. However, India is much better placed today on the back of improvement in its macroeconomic
fundamentals and large forex reserves, which provides cushion against financial market volatility.
DIPP notifies relaxation of FDI rules in 15 sectors
The government has notified measures to liberalize foreign direct investment (FDI) rules in 15 sectors that were announced by Mr. Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister. The measures included decision to raise the threshold limit for approval by Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to `5,000 crore from `3,000 crore. The sectors include defence, construction development, broadcasting, civil aviation, agriculture, plantation, limited liability partnerships, manufacturing, single brand retail, private sector banking & others.