Reserve Bank of India – Tenders

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Reserve Bank of India invites e-tender for “Annual Maintenance Contract for Arranging and Providing services of Plumbers and Carpenters for carrying out Day-To-Day Carpentry and Sanitary & Plumbing Maintenance / Repair Works at Bank’s various properties located at Ahmedabad” from empanelled eligible contractors / vendors.

2. Interested and eligible empanelled companies / firms can download the tender form from Reserve Bank of India’s website https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewTenders.aspx and MSTC portal i.e. https://www.mstcecommerce.com/eprochome/rbi/. This tendering process will be done through MSTC e-tendering portal (https://www.mstcecommerce.com/eprochome/rbi).

3. The estimated cost of the tender is ₹20.32 Lakh (inclusive of all taxes) (₹Twenty lakh thirty two thousand only) (inclusive of all taxes)

4. The timelines for the tender are as follows:

Serial No. Particular Stipulated Date
1. Date and time of downloading Tender Form from RBI & MSTC Website April 26, 2021 from 04:00 PM
2. Last date for submission of tender on MSTC portal May 17, 2021 upto 02:00 PM
3. Last date for submission of Earnest Money Deposit May 17, 2021 upto 12:00 PM
4. Date and time of opening of Tender part – I May 17, 2021 at 03:00 PM
5. Earnest Money ₹40,640/-

5. All interested companies/ firms must register themselves with MSTC Ltd through the above-mentioned website to participate in the tendering process. Please also note that further Addendum / corrigendum will only be published on RBI website.

6. The bank reserves the right to reject any tender or all tenders without assigning any reason.

Regional Director
Gujarat, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli

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Reserve Bank of India – Press Releases

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Government of India (GOI) has announced the sale (re-issue) of three dated securities for a notified amount of ₹26,000 crore as per the following details:

Sr No Security Date of repayment Notified Amount
(₹ crore)
GoI specific Notification Auction Date Settlement Date
1 3.96% GS 2022 Nov 09, 2022 3,000 F.No.4(3)-B(W&M)/2021 dated April 26, 2021 April 30, 2021
(Friday)
May 03, 2021
(Monday)
2 5.85% GS 2030 Dec 01, 2030 14,000
3 6.76% GS 2061 Feb. 22, 2061 9,000
  Total   26,000      

2. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to ₹6,000 crore against above security/securities.

3. The securities will be sold through Reserve Bank of India Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai – 400001. The sale will be subject to the terms and conditions spelt out in the ‘Specific Notification’ mentioned above and the General Notification F.No.4(2)–W&M/2018, dated March 27, 2018.

4. Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system on April 30, 2021. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. The result will be announced on the same day and payment by successful bidders will have to be made on May 03, 2021 (Monday).

5. Bids for underwriting of the Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) portion can be submitted by ‘Primary Dealers’ from 9.00 a.m. up to 9.30 a.m. on April 30, 2021 (Friday) on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system.

6. The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading for a period commencing from April 27, 2021 – April 30, 2021.

7. Operational guidelines for Government of India dated securities auction and other details are given in the Annex.

Rupambara
Director   

Press Release: 2021-2022/113


ANNEX

Type of Auction

1. The auction will be a multiple price-based auction i.e. successful bids will get accepted at their respective quoted price for the security.

2. The auction will be yield based for new security and price based for securities which are re-issued.

3. In case of a Floating Rate Bonds (FRB), the auction will be spread-based for new security and price based for securities which are reissued. At the time of placing bids for new FRB, the spread should be quoted in percentage terms.

Minimum Bid Size

4. The Stocks will be issued for a minimum amount of ₹10,000/- (nominal) and in multiples of ₹10,000/- thereafter.

Non-Competitive Segment

5. In all the auctions, Government Stock up to 5% of the notified amount of sale will be allotted to the eligible individuals and institutions under the Scheme for Non-competitive Bidding Facility in the Auctions of Government Securities.

6. Each bank or Primary Dealer (PD) on the basis of firm orders received from their constituents will submit a single consolidated non-competitive bid on behalf of all its constituents in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system.

7. Allotment under the non-competitive segment to the bank or PD will be at the weighted average rate of yield/price of the successful bids that will emerge in the auction on the basis of the competitive bidding.

Submission of Bids

8. Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system.

9. Bids in physical form will not be accepted except in extraordinary circumstances.

Business Continuity Plan (BCP)-IT failure

10. Only in the event of system failure, physical bids will be accepted. Such physical bids should be submitted to the Public Debt Office, Mumbai through (email; Phone no: 022-22632527, 022-22701299) in the prescribed form which can be obtained from RBI website (https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewForms.aspx) before the auction timing ends.

11. In case of technical difficulties, Core Banking Operations Team should be contacted (email; Phone no: 022-27595666, 022-27595415, 022-27523516).

12. For other auction related difficulties, IDMD auction team can be contacted (email; Phone no: 022-22702431, 022-22705125).

Multiple Bids

13. An investor can submit more than one competitive bid in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system.

14. However, the aggregate amount of bids submitted by a person in an auction should not exceed the notified amount of auction.

Decision Making Process

15. On the basis of bids received, the Reserve Bank will determine the minimum price up to which tenders for purchase of Government Stock will be accepted at the auctions.

16. Bids quoted at rates lower than the minimum price determined by the Reserve Bank of India will be rejected.

17. Reserve Bank of India will have the full discretion to accept or reject any or all bids either wholly or partially without assigning any reason.

Issue of Securities

18. Issue of securities to the successful bidders will be by credit to Subsidiary General Ledger Account (SGL) of parties maintaining such account with Reserve Bank of India or in the form of Stock Certificate.

Periodicity of Interest Payment

19. Interest on the Government Stock will generally be paid half-yearly other than in case of securities with non-standard maturities. The exact periodicity of coupon payment is invariably mentioned in the specific notification for the issue of security.

Underwriting of the Government Securities

20. The underwriting of the Government Securities under auctions by the ‘Primary Dealers’ will be as per the “Revised Scheme of Underwriting Commitment and Liquidity Support” announced by the Reserve Bank vide circular RBI/2007-08/186 dated November 14, 2007 as amended from time to time.

Eligibility for Repurchase Transactions (Repo)

21. The Stocks will eligible for Repurchase Transactions (Repo) as per the conditions mentioned in Repurchase Transactions (Repo) (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2018 (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2018 as amended from time to time.

Eligibility for ‘When Issued’ Trading

22. The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.

Investment by Non-Residents

23. Investments by Non-Residents are subject to the guidelines on ‘Fully Accessible Route’ for Investment by Non-residents in Government Securities and Investment by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) in Government Securities: Medium Term Framework (MTF).

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Extension of Last Date for Submission – Empanelment for the Supply of Office Stationery, Computer Consumables, Printed Materials, Rubber Stamps (Panel Year 2021-2024), Bengaluru

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A reference is invited to the advertisement – Empanelment for the Supply of Office Stationery, Computer Consumables, Printed Materials, Rubber Stamps (Panel Year 2021-2024), Bengaluru published on March 26, 2021 on our website www.rbi.org.in.

2. It has been decided to extend the last date for submission of empanelment application and the requisite documents till 15:00 Hours of May 11, 2021. The other terms and conditions of the empanelment remain unchanged.

Regional Director

Bengaluru

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After Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan prepares to offer rich clients access to bitcoin fund

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With the latest move, JPMorgan would be the latest and biggest US megabank to adopt crypto as an asset class.

Investment bank JPMorgan’s crypto and blockchain efforts are on a roll. The bank is now looking to offer an actively managed bitcoin fund for clients in its private wealth division. With the latest move, JPMorgan would be the latest and biggest US megabank to adopt crypto as an asset class. The development, which was reported by CoinDesk on Monday, may see the bitcoin fund launched as soon as this summer. The move would also signal a shift in the company’s outlook towards cryptocurrencies as its CEO Jamie Dimon had reportedly called bitcoin a dangerous fraud in 2017 and had also threatened to fire employees who traded bitcoin. Last month, according to a CNBC report, Morgan Stanley had become the first big US bank to offer its wealthy clients access to bitcoin funds after they demand exposure to the cryptocurrency.

Comments from JPMorgan regarding the development were not immediately available.

Even as the bitcoin fund is the latest step by JPMorgan, its investment, commercial banking, and wealth management divisions have gradually evolved in their treatment of crypto and blockchain. As per CoinDesk, the bank’s research analysts regularly issue market insight on bitcoin’s price and prospects in reports available to clients. In February, it had tested blockchain’s decentralised network in space to see if two machines could transact autonomously. The experiment involved carrying out blockchain-based payments between satellites in space “which validated the approach towards a decentralized network where communication with the earth is not necessary,” according to a statement by the Nasdaq-listed manufacturer and supplier of nanosatellites for customers in the academic, government, and commercial markets – GomSpace.

Also read: Coinbase India plan: Acquire startups, hire ‘hundreds’ of employees in 2 yrs, says incoming country head

Earlier this month, JPMorgan had launched a new solution called Confirm using blockchain technology to improve funds transfers between banking institutions globally and to help bring down the number of “rejected or returned transactions caused by mismatched payment details,” according to the investment bank. As a result, the solution will lead to lowering costs for both the sending and receiving banks. “JPMorgan getting into blockchain is going to help a lot on the institutional side of fund transfers. It is looking to resolve the clearing and settlement problem which happens in the bank-to-bank transfers and takes multiple days to settle. With blockchain, JPMorgan and banks will be able to settle it in near real-time,” Ashish Agarwal, a blockchain expert and Founder of PayO — neo banking platform for SMEs – had told Financial Express Online.

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In relief for private banks, RBI allows 15-year tenure for MD & CEO

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The Reserve Bank of India has given a breather to private sector banks’ managing director and CEO or Whole Time Director (WTD), who are also promoters, allowing them a tenure of up to 12 years instead of 10, proposed earlier. Also, in extraordinary circumstances, at the sole discretion of the RBI, such an MD and CEO or WTD may be allowed to continue up to 15 years.

The RBI’s discussion paper on governance in commercial banks in India (issued in June 2020) had indicated that 10 years is an adequate time limit for a promoter/major shareholder of a bank as WTD or CEO of the bank to stabilise its operations and transition the managerial leadership to a professional management. Besides the tenure, the central bank’s circular also underscored that the committees of boards of banks should either comprise only Non-Executive Directors or majority of NEDs.

Further, the RBI asked banks to ensure that the chair of the board is an independent director and at least half of the directors attending the meetings of the board should be independent directors. The RBI asked banks to comply with its instructions latest by October 1, 2021.

“The guidelines are in line with the discussion paper and markets have had time to prepare for it. In terms of norms for committee composition, the RBI had tried to align it with the Companies Act. However, on the issue of the tenure of the CEO and Managing Director, the RBI has not made a durable case on its approach. Our view has been that the RBI should exercise discretion rather than one size fits all,” said Amit Tandon, Founder and Managing Director of corporate governance and proxy advisory services, IiAS.

Tenure of MD & CEO

Overall, subject to statutory approvals required from time to time, the central bank said the post of the MD & CEO and WTD cannot be held by the same incumbent for more than 15 years. Thereafter, the individual will be eligible for re-appointment as MD & CEO or WTD in the same bank, if considered necessary and desirable by the board, after a minimum gap of three years, subject to meeting other conditions.

During this three-year cooling period, the individual shall not be appointed or associated with the bank or its group entities in any capacity, either directly or indirectly.

According to RBI’s instructions, while examining the matter of re-appointment of such MD & CEOs/WTDs within the 12/15- year period, the level of progress and adherence to the milestones for dilution of promoters’ shareholding in the bank shall also be factored in by the RBI.

The RBI said no person can continue as MD & CEO or WTD beyond the age of 70 years.

Independent markets commentator Srinath Sridharan said: “The new rule of tenure cap for CEO/WTDs (promoter or not) would be interesting to note from the perspective of younger individuals who are associated with the banks.

“Mathematically, looking at this rule in conjunction with 70 years being the max age limit for such roles, anyone lesser than 55 years of age and getting into these roles would have a long runway.”

Transition arrangement

The RBI has allowed a transition arrangement, whereby banks with MD & CEOs or WTDs who have already completed 12/15 years as MD & CEO or WTD, on the date these instructions coming to effect, will be allowed to complete their current term as already approved by the RBI.

Further, the chair of the board who is not an independent director on the date of issue of this circular will be allowed to complete the current term as Chair as already approved by the RBI.

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Reserve Bank of India – Press Releases

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The Reserve Bank of India today released the April 2021 issue of its monthly Bulletin. The Bulletin includes Monetary Policy Statement, 2021-22, Resolution of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) April 5-7, 2021, Monetary Policy Report – April 2021, one Speech, four Articles and Current Statistics.

The four articles are: I. State of the Economy; II. ARCs in India: A Study of their Business Operations and Role in NPA Resolution; III. The Relationship between Capacity Utilisation and Inflation: A Study of Indian Manufacturing Sector; and IV. Retail Payment Habits in India – Evidence from a Pilot Survey.

I. State of the Economy

As India battles the ferocious rise of new infections, a strong policy response is building. Economic activity in India is holding up against COVID -19’s renewed onslaught. Apart from contact-intensive sectors, activity indicators largely remained resilient in March and grew beyond pre-pandemic levels. The resurgence in COVID-19, if not contained in time, risks protracted restrictions and disruptions in supply chains with consequent inflationary pressures. Pandemic protocols, speedier vaccination, ramping up hospital and ancillary capacity, and remaining resolutely focused on a post pandemic future of strong and sustainable growth with macroeconomic and financial stability is the way forward.

II. ARCs in India: A Study of their Business Operations and Role in NPA Resolution

Asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) are important players in the asset resolution mechanism in India. Unlike many other countries that experimented with a public sector model of asset management companies marked by their existence for a pre-defined period following banking crises or crises-like situations, India introduced ARCs as private sector institutions as part of its ongoing financial sector reforms.

Highlights:

  • Notwithstanding the increase in the number of ARCs over time, there has been a concentration in the ARC industry in terms of the assets under management, and the security receipts (SRs) issued.

  • Despite the policy push to broaden and enhance the capital base of these companies, they have remained reliant primarily on domestic sources of capital, particularly banks.

  • The cost of acquisition to book value ratio, although posting a slow rise, remains low and is marked by wide variations across ARCs and economic sectors.

  • The ARCs have predominantly resorted to rescheduling of payment obligations as a method of resolution.

  • There is considerable concentration of older SRs in the books of the ARCs.

III. The Relationship between Capacity Utilisation and Inflation: A Study of Indian Manufacturing Sector

This article attempts to assess the efficacy of the capacity utilisation (CU) in the manufacturing sector in predicting inflation path.

Highlights:

  • The Order Books, Inventories and Capacity Utilisation Survey (OBICUS) based CU rate in the manufacturing sector provides useful insights into demand conditions in the economy.

  • The article computes a long time series of CU using an alternate (Wharton) method to study the cyclical pattern in CU and its relationship with price change.

  • The study finds that the relationship between CU and WPI-manufacturing based inflation varies with time and aggregate level CU needs to be interpreted prudently for gauging future path of manufacturing inflation.

IV. Retail Payment Habits in India – Evidence from a Pilot Survey

The article presents the results of a pilot survey on retail payment habits of individuals in six cities between December 2018 and January 2019 with a focus on the awareness and usage of digital payments.

Highlights:

  • The survey results indicated a widespread awareness about digital payments among respondents, with the point in favour of digital payment being its convenience.

  • Econometric assessment suggested that awareness was positively associated with ownership of bank accounts, levels of literacy and income of the users.

  • More importantly, the survey results indicated the need for imparting greater awareness among the general public regarding basic safety norms while using digital modes of payment.

From the next issue onwards, the RBI’s monthly Bulletin will be released around the 15th of every month.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2021-2022/112

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Bank credit grows 5.33%; deposits rise 10.94%

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Bank credit grew by 5.33 per cent to Rs 108.89 lakh crore, and deposits rose 10.94 per cent to Rs 152.15 lakh crore in the fortnight ended April 9, 2021.

In the fortnight ended April 10, 2020, bank advances stood at Rs 103.38 lakh crore and deposits were Rs 137.15 lakh crore.

In 2020-21 fiscal, bank credit increased 5.56 per cent and deposits 11.4 per cent.

Care Ratings in a recent report said the bank credit growth rate continues to decline, however, in absolute terms bank credit (in the fortnight ended April 9, 2021) increased by Rs 5.5 lakh crore as compared to the fortnight ended April 10, 2020, but declined by Rs 0.62 lakh crore from the previous fortnight ended March 26, 2021.

“In absolute terms, bank credit usually declines in the first month of the new financial year, as it is a lean period (this trend can be observed for the last five years),” the rating agency said.

However, the year-on-year growth rate has fallen in the first month of the new financial year (i.e., April 2021) for the first time in five years, reflecting subdued credit demand amid the rising second wave of the pandemic, the report said.

The agency said bank credit growth is likely to increase in FY22, given the growth in the economy and the base effect coming into play.

The downside risks include lockdowns in key states, which may impact the industrial as well as the service segments.

Another risk is the end of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) in June 2021, which had propped up the MSME credit.

However, the extension of the Targeted Long Term Repo Operations (TLTROs) and on-lending norms could support growth, the agency said.

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Private banks may have to review succession plans

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A number of private sector lenders will have to review their succession plans in the coming years, with the Reserve Bank of India on Monday issuing guidelines for tenures of Managing Directors and CEOs.

Immediate impact

While private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank is most likely to be impacted, analysts say the impact on banks would not be immediate as the current incumbents would be allowed to complete his current term.

“Banks like Kotak, DCB, City Union Bank, Federal and RBL Bank have long running tenures of the current MDs. However, some of these like Kotak and City Union where the extension has already been done till 2024 for the former and 2026 for the latter should not have major near term impact. The upper limit of 15 years for MD and CEOs may increase the scope for a few more years at the helm for banks like DCB, Federal and RBL. As such, succession planning is an ongoing process for private banks,” said Siji Philip. Senior Research Analyst, Axis Securities.

In the case of Kotak Mahindra Bank, Uday Kotak got re-appointed as MD and CEO on January 1for three years till January 2024.

“We don’t expect any major term impact on Kotak Mahindra Bank as his term will last another three years. Further, Uday Kotak has a stake in the bank, and is expected to continue having involvement in the bank even after he steps down as the MD in 2024,” Philip said.

The RBI has notified norms for corporate governance in banks, under which it capped the post of the MD and CEO or Wholetime Director at 15 years. The individual will be eligible for re-appointment as MD and CEO or WTD in the same bank, if considered necessary and desirable by the board, after a minimum gap of three years.

The MD and CEO or WTD, who is also a promoter or major shareholder, cannot hold these posts for more than 12 years, which can be extended by three years depending on the RBI.

Many experts said the impact of the norms had already been factored in by the market, but said they were uncertain of its efficacy.

“Though the recent turbulence is the understandable trigger, new age private banks need promoter-leaders who are youthful sprinters with a marathon appetite. Tenure caps applicable for ownerless enterprises may not be the solution for owner-led enterprises. Leadership policy requires replicating best practices and not just showcasing,” said a policy outsider.

“The guidelines are in line with the discussion paper and markets have had time to prepare for it. In terms of norms for committee composition, the RBI had tried to align it with the Companies’ Act. However, on the issue of the tenure of the CEO and Managing Director, the RBI has not made a durable case on its approach. Our view has been that the RBI should exercise discretion rather than one size fits all,” said Amit Tandon, founder and Managing Director of corporate governance and proxy advisory services, IiAS.

Corporate governance

The RBI had, in June 2020, issued a discussion paper on corporate governance in commercial banks. The proposed reforms had come at a time when lenders such as YES Bank and Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank were witnessing a management crisis.

The RBI instructions would be applicable to all private sector banks, including small finance banks and wholly-owned subsidiaries of foreign banks. The instructions on upper age limit for MD and CEO and WTDs in private sector banks will continue, and no person can continue as MD and CEO or WTD beyond the age of 70 years.

Srinath Sridharan, an independent markets commentator, said: “The new corporate governance guidelines for banks sets a higher benchmark for private banks & foreign banks in India, with the theme of “higher number of and deeper-involvement of Independent Directors (IDs) & Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), at the board governance.

“With ACB & NRC to be constituted with only NEDs, and half of board meeting attendees to be IDs, this might mean creating additional IDs capacity across some of the banks. With banks generally having a wide range of board committees, I anticipate demand for additional independent-director candidates with understanding and expertise across audit, HR, law, technology and digital, management assurance, new age economy, credit-access-for-Bharat, millennials.

“The new rule of tenure cap for CEO / WTDs (either promoter or not) would be interesting to note from perspective of younger individuals who are associated with the banks. Mathematically looking at this rule in conjunction with 70 years being the max age limit for such roles, anyone lesser than 55 years of age and getting into these roles would have a long runway.

“With the RBI allowing the respective bank boards to use their discretion, to prescribe a lower retirement age for the WTDs (including the MD and CEO), it would be worthwhile watching how many boards actually do so over next few years.”

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Reserve Bank of India – Press Releases

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The Central Government has nominated Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India as a Director on the Central Board of Reserve Bank of India vice Shri Tarun Bajaj. The nomination of Shri Ajay Seth is effective from April 24, 2021 and until further orders.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2021-2022/111

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Vaccinate banking and insurance sector staff on ‘priority basis’: FinMin to States

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The Finance Ministry has asked State governments to put in place a special system to vaccinate employees of banks, insurance companies and financial services providers, including banking correspondents and cash logistic providers, on priority basis.

This is necessary, especially after the government’s recent decision to open up vaccination to all persons above the age of 18 years from May 1, said the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all States.

Enabling bank staff and employees of the financial services industry avail vaccination easily will go a long way in assuring them about their safety/life and will also boost their morale in continuing to provide best services to customers, the letter added.

The respective convenor of the State-level bankers committee (SLBC) in each State will coordinate with the office of the Chief Secretary, it added.

Covid Warriors

The DFS letter pointed out that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs on the management of Covid-19 pandemic had recently recognised banking and other financial services industry personnel as ‘Covid Warriors’, and appreciated the efforts taken by them in providing seamless banking facilities during the lockdown.

The DFS has highlighted that under its regular monitoring, all employees of banks, insurance companies, NPCI, payment system providers /operators/vendors, cash logistic companies/cash-in-transit companies/ATM maintenance personal, banking correspondents and customer service points, have played a critical role.

They had ensured that their branches/offices remained open and functional and continued to provide the complete suite of financial services to their customers, including ATM and micro ATM networks, despite issues in mobility and adherence to social distancing precautions.

Unfortunately, in their efforts to provide continuous service, many officials have succumbed to the virus and some of them also lost their lives, the DFS letter added.

Hailing the DFS directive to State governments, Anand Bajaj, Founder, MD and CEO, PayNearby and Board Member of Business Correspondents Federation of India (BCFI), said: “Our frontline warriors, our BC agents, are putting themselves on the line to ensure citizens have access to financial resources to fight the pandemic. Their protection through vaccination is truly appreciated.”

He said that BCFI had written letters to the government to help provide with the vaccine for its BC agents.

It may be recalled that BCFI CEO Sunil Kulkarni had, on December 11 last year, written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman requesting the inclusion of banking agents (business correspondent agents/bank Mitras/customer service points), teams of member companies of BCFI, and their family members in the government’s special immunisation distribution programme for Covid-19 vaccine in the initial phase so that they can continue to service citizens with banking services without worrying about the continued risks.

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