RBI grant of bank licences, MPs worried

These views, according to sources, were expressed by some MPs at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance held here on Monday under the chairmanship of senior BJP leader and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha. RBI Governor D Subbarao and other senior officials have briefed the Committee about the draft guidelines on granting licences for setting up new banks.

Some members, according to sources, have argued that granting banking licences to industrial houses would not help financial inclusion as they may not be interested in providing services in rural and semi-urban areas. It was pointed out that private sector banks have been avoiding setting up branches in rural areas.

The RBI had on August 29 issued draft guidelines for new bank licenses. As per the draft norms, private sector entities or groups owned and controlled by Indian promoters, with diversified ownership, sound credentials and integrity, and having successful track record of at least 10 years, will be eligible to promote banks. Besides banking licenses, the Committee also held deliberations on the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill. The DTC seeks to update taxation laws and replace the archaic Income Tax Act, 1961.