Category: RBI News

RBI/2021-22/13
DoR.AUT.REC.2/23.67.001/2021-22

April 5, 2021

All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(excluding Regional Rural Banks)

Dear Sir/Madam

Gold Monetization Scheme (GMS), 2015

In exercise of the powers conferred on the Reserve Bank of India under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the RBI makes the following amendments in the Reserve Bank of India (Gold Monetization Scheme, 2015) Master Direction No.DBR.IBD.No.45/23.67.003/2015-16 dated October 22, 2015, with immediate effect.

2. A new sub-paragraph 1.3 (iii) has been inserted to read as follows:

“GMS Mobilisation, Collection & Testing Agent (GMCTA) – Jewellers/Refiners certified as CPTCs by BIS and meeting additional eligibility conditions set by IBA will be recognised as GMCTA by designated banks.”

3. The existing sub-paragraph 2.1.1 (iii) has been amended to read as follows:

“The Principal on STBD and MLTGD shall be denominated in gold. However, the interest on STBD and MLTGD shall be calculated in Indian Rupees with reference to the value of gold at the time of deposit.”

4. The existing sub-paragraph 2.1.1 (v) has been amended to read as follows:

“All deposits under the scheme shall be made at the CPTC/GMCTA. Provided that, at their discretion, banks may accept the deposit of gold at the designated branches, especially from the larger depositors. Banks shall have a Board approved policy to identify the branches that can accept the deposits under the scheme. The policy shall inter-alia cover the processes involved in the identification of such branches and skill development of the dealing employees. The policy shall also identify the minimum number of branches as designated branches in every State/UT where the bank has a presence. Provided further that banks may, at their discretion, also allow the depositors to deposit their gold directly with the refiners that have facilities to carry out final assaying and to issue the deposit receipts of the standard gold of 995 fineness to the depositor.”

5. The existing sub-paragraph 2.1.1 (viii) has been amended to read as follows:

“On the day the gold deposited under the scheme starts accruing interest, the designated banks shall translate the gold liabilities and assets in Indian Rupees by crossing the London AM fixing for Gold / USD rate with the Rupee-US Dollar reference rate announced by Financial Benchmarks India Private Limited (FBIL) on that day. The prevalent custom duty for import of gold will be added to the above value to arrive at the final value of gold. This approach will also be followed for valuation of gold at any subsequent valuation dates and for the conversion of gold into Indian Rupees under the Scheme.”

6. The existing sub-paragraph 2.1.1 (ix) has been amended to read as follows:

“Designated banks shall inform the RBI of their decision to participate in the Scheme as soon as the policy to implement the scheme is approved by their Board. They shall also report to the RBI the gold mobilized under the scheme by all branches in a consolidated manner on a monthly basis as per the format given in the Annex-2. Designated banks shall furnish the statement giving details of redemption due in next three months, as per format given in the Annex-3. The information in Annex 2 and 3 shall be furnished to Department of Regulation, Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai by 7th day of the month.”

7. The existing sub-paragraph 2.1.2 (i) has been amended to read as follows:

“The minimum deposit at any one time shall be 10 grams of raw gold (bars, coins, jewellery excluding stones and other metals). There is no maximum limit for deposit under the Scheme.”

8. The existing sub-paragraph 2.2.1 (iii) has been amended to read as follows:

“The deposit will attract CRR and SLR requirements as per applicable instructions of RBI from the date of credit of the amount to the deposit account. However, the stock of gold held by banks in their books will be an eligible asset for meeting the SLR requirement in terms of RBI Master Circular – Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) dated 1 July 2015. Further, borrowing of gold by designated banks (from gold mobilised under STBD by other designated banks) will be treated as interbank liabilities and hence exempted from CRR and SLR.”

9. The existing sub-paragraph 2.2.1 (vi) has been amended to read as follows:

“From the date of issue of this circular, interest in respect of STBD shall be denominated and paid in Indian Rupee only. Redemption of principal at maturity will, at the option of depositor, be either in Indian Rupee equivalent of the deposited gold based on the prevailing price of gold at the time of redemption, or in gold. The option in this regard shall be obtained in writing from the depositor at the time of making the deposit and shall be irrevocable. Any premature redemption shall be in Indian Rupee equivalent or gold at the discretion of the designated banks. All STBDs made prior to the issue of this circular will continue to be governed by their existing terms and conditions”

10. The existing sub-paragraph 2.2.2 (vii) stands deleted

“Reserve Bank of India will maintain the Gold Deposit Accounts denominated in gold in the name of the designated banks that will in turn hold sub-accounts of individual depositors.”

11. The new sub-paragraph 2.4 (iii) has been inserted to read as follows:

“The designated banks shall take steps to enter into agreement with sufficient number of CPTCs.”

12. The new paragraph 2.5 on GMS Mobilisation, Collection & Testing Agent (GMCTA) has been inserted to read as follows:

i. Jewellers/Refiners certified as CPTCs by BIS and meeting additional eligibility conditions set by IBA may be recognised by designated banks as GMCTA.

ii. Jewellers or refiners functioning as GMCTA shall assay and refine gold received from depositors; undertake vaulting and movement of refined gold to banks as per bi-partite agreement with the designated banks.

iii. As GMCTAs will carry out functions of CPTC, the instructions applicable to CPTCs as mentioned at para 2.4 above shall also be applicable to GMCTA.

iv. The designated banks shall pay a maximum of 1.5% as incentive/handling charges to the gold handling/ mobilizing functions performed by GMCTAs.

13. The new sub-paragraph 2.8.1 (iii) has been inserted to read as follows:

“Lend the gold to other designated banks participating in the Scheme for granting GML subject to following conditions:

(a) Interest Rate: The interest rate to be charged on interbank lending of gold mobilised from these deposits shall be decided by banks.

(b) Repayment: The repayment shall be in INR or in locally sourced (India Good Delivery Standard) IGDS/ LGDS (LBMA’s Good Delivery Standards) gold as agreed by the participating banks.

(c) Tenor: As the purpose for interbank lending is to provide gold to jewellery manufacturers/ jewellery exporters under GML, the tenor of interbank lending of gold shall be as per our circular DBOD.No.IBD.BC.71/23.67.001/2006-07 dated April 3, 2007 and the Foreign Trade Policy and the Handbook of Procedures issued by DGFT, as amended from time to time.”

14. The Reserve Bank of India Master Direction No.DBR.IBD.45/23.67.003/2015-16 dated October 22, 2015 on Gold Monetization Scheme, 2015 has been updated incorporating the above changes.

15. The reporting format given at Annex-2 of the Master Direction has been revised and Annex-3 has been added.

Yours faithfully

(Prakash Baliarsingh)
Chief General Manager

RBI/2021-22/12
FIDD.GSSD.CO.BC.No.03/09.16.03/2021-22

April 05, 2021

The Chairman & Managing Director/CEO
All Scheduled Commercial Banks &
Small Finance Banks

Madam/Dear Sir,

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)

Please refer to the Master Circular on DAY-NULM FIDD.GSSD.CO.BC.No.01/09.16.03/2019-20 dated July 01, 2019 containing the instructions / guidelines / directives issued to banks.

2. The Master Circular has been suitably updated by incorporating the instructions on DAY-NULM issued up to March 31, 2021 and has also been placed on RBI website (https://www.rbi.org.in).

Yours faithfully,

(Kaya Tripathi)
Chief General Manager

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Master Circular: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)

Background

The Government of India, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), restructured the existing Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) and launched the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) in 2013. NULM has been under implementation w.e.f. September 24, 2013 in all district headquarters (irrespective of population) and all the cities with population of 1 lakh or more.

The Self Employment Program (SEP) of NULM focuses on providing financial assistance through provision of interest subsidy on loans to support establishment of Individual & Group Enterprises and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of urban poor. The erstwhile provision of capital subsidy for USEP (Urban Self Employment Program) and UWSP (Urban Women Self-Help Program) under SJSRY has been replaced by interest subsidy for loans to Individual enterprise (SEP-I), Group enterprise (SEP-G) and Self Help Groups (SEP-SHGs). With a view to improving the livelihood opportunities for the poor in urban areas, erstwhile Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (UPA Division), Government of India vide their Office Memorandum No.K-14011/2/2012-UPA/FTS-5196 dated February 19, 2016 had enhanced the scope of National Urban Livelihoods Mission. The Mission with enhanced scope was renamed as “Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)”.

The operational guidelines of the Self Employment Program (SEP) component of DAY-NULM are as under:

1. Introduction:

1.1 The SEP provides financial assistance to individuals/groups including street venders/hawkers of urban poor for setting up gainful self-employment ventures/ micro-enterprises, suited to their skills, training, aptitude and local conditions. The programme also supports Self Help Groups (SHGs) of urban poor to access easy credit from bank and avail interest subsidy on SHG loans. The SEP will also focus on technology, marketing and other support services to the above beneficiaries engaged in micro enterprises for their livelihoods and will also facilitate issuance of credit cards for working capital requirement of the entrepreneurs.

1.2 The underemployed and unemployed urban poor will be encouraged to set up small enterprises relating to manufacturing, service and small business for which there is considerable local demand. Local skills and local crafts should be particularly encouraged. Each Urban Local Body (ULB) should develop a compendium of such activities/projects keeping in view skills available, marketability of products, costs, economic viability etc.

1.3 The percentage of women beneficiaries under SEP shall not be less than 30 percent. SCs and STs must be benefited at least to the extent of the proportion of their strength in the city/town population of poor. A special provision of 5 percent reservation should be made for the differently-abled under this program with priority to women. In view of the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Program for the Welfare of Minorities, at least 15 percent of the physical and financial targets under this component shall be earmarked for the minority communities.

2. Selection of Beneficiary & Procedure for Sponsoring Applications:

The Community Organizers (COs) and professionals from Urban Local Body (ULB) will identify the prospective beneficiaries from among the urban poor. The community structures formed under Social Mobilization & Institutional Development (SM&ID) component of DAY- NULM viz. Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Area Level Federations (ALFs) may also refer prospective individual and group entrepreneurs for purpose of financial assistance under SEP to ULB. The beneficiaries may directly approach ULB or its representatives for assistance. Banks may also identify prospective beneficiaries at their end and forward such cases directly to ULB. The Banks may also use their empaneled Business Correspondents (BCs) and Business Facilitators (BFs) to increase the outreach. Due diligence will be undertaken as per the Banks’ policy, in this regard.

2.1 The application for individual and group enterprise loans will be sponsored by the Urban Local Body (ULB) which will be the sponsoring agency for the individual and group enterprise.

2.2 The ULB will create awareness regarding SEP to the prospective beneficiaries through mass media campaigns, Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities, advertisements in local newspapers, City Livelihoods Centres (CLCs) etc. The ULB may also disseminate information regarding this component through active involvement of Resource Organizations and its field staff.

2.3 The beneficiaries desirous of seeking financial assistance for setting up an enterprise can submit an application of intent to the concerned ULB officials on a plain paper with basic details viz: Name, Age, Contact details, Address, Aadhaar details (if any), amount of loan required, bank account number (if available), type of enterprise/ activity, category etc. The intent could also be sent by mail /post to the ULB office. The ULB shall accept such intents throughout the year.

2.4 The community structures formed under Social Mobilization & Institutional Development (SM&ID) component of DAY-NULM viz: Self Help Groups (SHGs)/ Area Level Federations (ALFs) may also refer prospective individual and group entrepreneurs for purpose of financial assistance under SEP to ULB.

2.5 On submission/receipt of the intent from the beneficiary the respective ULB will enter the details in a register/or MIS if available and hence will generate a waiting list of beneficiaries. The ULB will issue an acknowledgement to the beneficiary with a unique registration number, which may be used as a reference number for tracking the status of application.

2.6 ULB will call the beneficiaries in order of the waiting list to complete requisite documentation including filling of Loan Application Form (LAF), activity details, identity proof, address proof, bank account details etc. To verify the identity of the beneficiary, her/his Aadhar number will also be brought on record. If beneficiary does not have Aadhaar card, his/ her any other unique identification document like voters’ card, driving license etc. will be taken and s/he will be helped to obtain Aadhar card as soon as possible. The State Urban Livelihoods Mission (SULM) may develop a Loan Application Form (LAF) in suitable format in consultation with State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) convenor bank. The same LAF may be utilised across the State/UTs. The Loan Application Form (LAF) will contain basic data in respect of economic status of the beneficiary and her/his family. This data will be such that it can be used to analyse impact of the benefits on her/his economic status at a later stage.

2.7 A Task Force constituted at ULB level will scrutinize the applications based on experience, skills, viability of activity, scope of the activity etc. Thereafter, the Task Force will shortlist the applications and call for interview of the applicants before recommending or rejecting the application or call for additional information from the applicant if required.

2.8 The Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/ Municipal Commissioner of ULB will be responsible to constitute the Task Force and will be the Chairman of the Task force. There could be more than 1 task force at ULB level depending upon the size/population of the ULB.

2.9 The indicative composition of the Task Force is as follows:

Sr. No.	TASK Force at ULB level	Role
1.	Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ULB/ Municipal Commissioner of ULB/ or any representative authorized by CEO ULB	Chairman
2.	Lead District Manager (LDM)	Member
3.	City Project Officer (CPO), ULB/ or any authorized representative of ULB	Member Convenor
4.	Representative from District Industries Centre (DIC)	Member
5.	Senior Branch Managers (Max-2) of banks	Member
6.	Representatives(2) of Area Level Federation / City Level Federation	Member

2.10 The task force will then recommend the applications if found suitable, reject if found unsuitable or ask the beneficiary to submit further requisite information for re-examination on case to case basis.

2.11 The case duly recommended by the task force will be forwarded by the ULB to the concerned banks for further processing. Such cases recommended by task force have to be processed by concerned banks within a time frame of 15 days. As these cases are already recommended by the task force, such cases should be rejected by banks only in exceptional circumstances.

2.12 The banks will send a periodic report to the ULB on the status of the applications received. In case of MIS being used, the banks may be allowed to update the status of application online in addition to manual report.

2.13 Banks may also directly accept the loan applications of urban poor beneficiaries on the basis of relevant documents as per the guidelines of Prime Minister MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) or any other such scheme without the need of having prior sponsoring from ULB. The banks can send details of such loans sanctioned by them to ULBs for confirmation of their eligibility for interest subsidy under DAY-NULM. Task Force constituted for scrutinizing applications should quickly clear these applications if they otherwise meet the criteria. On confirmation of their eligibility, interest subsidy may be claimed from ULBs on the pattern of interest subsidy claim for beneficiaries sponsored by ULBs. The subsidy will be transferred directly to the loan account of DAY-NULM beneficiaries. This procedure will also be direct benefit transfer compliant.

3. Educational Qualifications and Training Requirement:

No minimum educational qualification is required for prospective beneficiaries under this component. However, where the identified activity for micro-enterprise development requires some special skills appropriate training must be provided to the beneficiaries before extending financial support.

3.1 Employment through Skills Training and Placement (EST&P): Financial assistance should be extended only after the prospective beneficiary has acquired required skills for running the proposed micro-enterprise. Such training may not be necessary if the beneficiary has already undergone training from a known institution, registered NGO/Voluntary Organization or trained under any government scheme provided requisite certificate is produced. In case the beneficiary has acquired requisite skills from family occupation such cases should be certified by the ULB before extending financial assistance.

3.2 Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP): In addition to skill training of the beneficiaries, the ULB will also arrange to conduct Entrepreneurship Development Program for 3-7 days for individual and group entrepreneurs. The EDP will cover basics of entrepreneurship development such as management of an enterprise, basic accounting, financial management, marketing, backward and forward linkages, legal procedures, costing and revenue etc. In addition to above topics the module should also include group dynamics, allocation of work, profit sharing mechanism etc. for group enterprises.

3.3 The EDP module may be developed and finalized by State Urban Livelihoods Mission (SULM) supported by State Mission Management Unit (SMMU) with assistance of an empaneled institution/agency or consulting firm and same may be utilized for conducting training program by the ULB. This EDP training may be arranged through institutions such as Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI), reputed institutions engaged in entrepreneurship development/ training, management/ educational institutes, reputed NGOs engaged in entrepreneurship development/ training etc.

3.4 Follow-up entrepreneurial support to Individual and Group entrepreneurs: After financing to Individual and Group beneficiaries, the ULB will also arrange to conduct follow-up Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) as and when required. Such programme should preferably be conducted once in six months for each beneficiary who has been given a loan. During the follow-up EDP, problems and issues faced by beneficiaries should also be discussed and solutions should be given.

4. Pattern of Financial Assistance:

The financial assistance available to urban poor in setting up individual and group enterprises will be in the form of Interest subsidy on the bank loans. Interest subsidy, over and above 7% rate of interest will be available on a bank loan for setting up of individual or group enterprises. The difference between 7% p.a. and the rate of interest charged by the bank will be provided to banks under DAY-NULM. Interest subsidy will be given only in case of timely repayment of loan. Suitable certification from banks will be obtained in this regard. An additional 3 percent interest subvention will be provided to all Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) who repay their loan in time. The Interest subsidy will be subject to timely repayment of the loan (as per the loan repayment schedule) and suitable certification obtained from banks by the ULB. The additional 3% interest subvention amount will be reimbursed to the eligible WSHGs. The banks should credit the amount of 3% interest subvention to the eligible WHSGs accounts and thereafter seek the reimbursement.

5. Procedure for interest subsidy to Banks:

5.1 All scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) and Small Finance Banks which are on the Core Banking Solution (CBS) platform would be eligible for getting interest subvention under the scheme.

5.2 After disbursement of loan to the beneficiaries, the concerned branch of the bank will send details of disbursed loan cases to ULB along with details of interest subsidy amount.

Procedure I

5.3 The submission and settlement of claims made by banks would be done on monthly basis. The ULB will check the data at their end and will release the interest subsidy amount (difference between 7% p.a. and prevailing rate of interest) to the banks.

5.4 Banks can upload XML file format for Master data and XML file format for Claim data for interest subsidy as per Data Structure Document available on www.paisaportal.in

5.5 The claims should not be pending more than a quarter. In case the claims of the banks are not settled for a period of 6 months, SLBC is empowered to stop the scheme temporarily in selected cities subject to clearance of claims by such ULBs. In such eventualities, the claims settlement should prospectively be given to the Lead District Bank.

Procedure – II

5.6 Settlement of Claims: Nodal Agency for releasing interest subsidy: A public sector bank may be engaged at national level. All the Banks will consolidate data regarding interest subsidy from their branches and upload on the portal of Nodal Bank. The nodal bank, after verification by concerned ULB/states, will transfer the interest subsidy to the beneficiaries through DBT mode. The State/UT will deposit some funds in advance with the nodal bank, which will release funds as per guidelines of the DAY-NULM. Nodal bank will regularly render account of reimbursement to the SULM. This procedure will be followed in all three types of loans i.e. SEP (I), SEP (G) and SHG-Bank Linkage.

6. Individual Enterprises (SEP-I)-Loan & Subsidy

An urban poor individual beneficiary desirous of setting up an individual micro-enterprise for self-employment can avail benefit of subsidized loan under this component from any bank. The norms/ specifications for individual micro-enterprise loans are as follows:

6.1 Age: The prospective beneficiary should have attained the age of 18 Years at the time of applying for loan.

6.2 Project Cost (PC): The Maximum unit Project Cost for an individual micro-enterprise is ₹ 2,00,000 (₹ Two Lakhs).

6.3 Collateral Guarantee on Bank Loan: No collateral required. As per RBI Circular RPCD.SME & NFS.BC.No.79/06.02.31/2009-10 dated May 6, 2010 banks are mandated not to accept collateral security in the case of loans up to ₹ 10 lakhs extended to units in the MSE sector. Therefore, only the assets created would be hypothecated/ mortgaged/ pledged to banks for advancing loans. The banks may approach Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) setup by Small Industries Development Bank (SIDBI) or any other appropriate guarantee fund for the purpose of availing guarantee cover for SEP loans as per the eligibility of the activity for guarantee cover.

6.4 Repayment: Repayment schedule would range between 5 to 7 Years after initial moratorium of 6-18 months as per norms of the banks.

6.5 Margin Money: No margin money should be taken for a loan up to ₹ 50,000 and for higher amount loans, preferably 5% should be taken as margin money and it should in no case be more than 10% of the project cost.

6.6 Type of Loan Facility: Banks may extend finance to individuals for capital expenditure in the form of Term Loan and Working Capital loans through Cash Credit. Banks may also extend Composite Loans consisting of Capital Expenditure and Working Capital components, depending upon individual borrower’s requirement.

7. Group Enterprises (SEP-G) -Loan & Subsidy

A Self Help Group (SHG) or members of an SHG constituted under DAY-NULM or a group of urban poor for self-employment can avail benefit of subsidized loans under this component from any bank. The norms/ specifications for group based micro-enterprise loans are as follows:

7.1 Eligibility Criteria: The group enterprises should have minimum of Three (3) members with a minimum of 70% of the members from urban poor families. More than one person from the same family should not be included in the same group.

7.2 Age: All members of the group enterprise should have attained an age of 18 years at the time of applying for bank loan.

7.3 Project Cost (PC): The group will be eligible for a maximum loan of Rs. 2 Lakh per member or Rs. 10 Lakh, whichever is lower.

7.4 Type of Loan: Loan can be extended either as a single loan to the group functioning as one borrowing unit or each member of the group can be provided individual loans up to 2 lakhs and an overall cap of 10 lakhs based on the principal of joint liability of the group. The principles laid down in the RBI circular on “Budget (2014-15) Announcement Financing of Joint Farming Groups of ‘Bhoomi Heen Kisan’ dated 13th November, 2014” and subsequent revisions should be followed in case of loans to a group.

7.5 Type of Loan Facility: Banks may extend finance to groups for capital expenditure in the form of Term Loan and for Working Capital, through Cash Credit Facility. Banks may also extend Composite Loans for Capital Expenditure and Working Capital, depending upon Group’s requirement.

7.6 Loan and Margin Money: The Project Cost minus the beneficiary contribution (Margin Money) would be made available as loan amount to the group enterprise by the bank. No margin money should be taken for loan up to ₹ 50,000 and for higher amount loans, preferably 5% should be taken as margin money and it should in no case be more than 10% of the project cost.

7.7 Collateral Guarantee on Bank Loan: No collateral guarantee is required. Only the assets created would be hypothecated/ mortgaged/ pledged to banks for advancing loans. The banks may approach Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) or any other appropriate guarantee fund as detailed in Para-6.3.

7.8 Repayment: Repayment schedule would range between 5 to 7 Years after initial moratorium of 6-18 months as per the norms of the banks.

8. SHG-Bank Linkage – General Guidelines

Linking of SHGs with banks have been emphasized in the Monetary policy of Reserve Bank of India and Union Budget announcements from time to time and various guidelines in this regard have been issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to banks. To scale up the SHGs linkage program and make it sustainable, banks have been advised to consider lending to SHGs as part of their mainstream credit operations both at policy and implementation level.

8.1 Master Circular of RBI on SHG-Bank Linkage Programme, FIDD.FID.BC. No.06/12.01.033/2021-22 dated April 01, 2021 contains instructions on opening of Savings Bank Account of Self Help Groups (whether registered or unregistered), which are engaged in promoting habit of savings among their members as a starting point. Thereafter, the SHGs may be sanctioned Savings Linked Loans (varying from a saving to loan ratio of 1:1 to 1:4) after due assessment or grading by banks. However, in case of matured SHGs, loans may be given beyond the limit of four times the savings as per the discretion of the bank. The Banks have also been instructed that the advances to SHGs irrespective of the purposes for which the members of SHGs should be included by the banks as part of their lending to the weaker sections.

8.2 Under Social Mobilization & Institution Development (SM&ID) component of DAY-NULM, the ULB will do necessary groundwork to open bank accounts for SHGs and facilitating access to Revolving Fund (RF). The ULB may also engage Resource Organization (RO) for the purpose or may directly facilitate SHGs through its staff. (Concept & Formation of SHGs, ROs and Revolving Fund has been detailed out in Social Mobilization & Institutional Development (SM&ID) component of DAY- NULM).

8.3 The banks will send the details of disbursed loan cases to the ULB along with the calculation details of the interest subsidy amount. The ULB will check the data at their end and will release the interest subsidy amount on monthly basis to the banks following a similar procedure as mentioned in Para 5.

8.4 The ULB through its field staff or Resource Organization (ROs) will facilitate filling of loan applications for eligible SHGs to access credit from the banks. The ULB will be responsible to forward the Loan application of the SHGs to the concerned banks with requisite documentation. The ULB will maintain area wise, bank-wise, ROs/ Staff wise data of SHGs loan applications forwarded to the banks. The same will be sent to SULM on a monthly basis.

8.5 In order to ensure effective SHG-Bank Linkage under DAY-NULM, the SULM will monitor and review the progress with banks on regular basis and co-ordinate with SLBC for interest subsidy/ subvention on SHG Loans in the state. Active involvement of State level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) and lead banks may be ensured for sensitization of bank and branch staff for financial inclusion of urban poor.

8.6 It may be noted that the identification, selection, formation and monitoring of SHGs who are to get interest subvention would be the responsibility of State/ ULBs and banks would not be liable for wrong identification of SHGs who get interest subvention.

8.7 Type of Loan Facility: SHGs can avail either Term loan or a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) loan or both based on their needs. In case of need, additional loan can be sanctioned even though the previous loan is outstanding.

8.8 Guidelines for prompt repayment are as follows:

a. For Cash Credit Limit to SHGs:

i) Outstanding balance shall not have remained in excess of the sanctioned limit/drawing power continuously for more than 30 days.

ii) There shall be regular credits and debits in the account. In any case there shall be at least one customer induced credit during the month.

iii) Customer induced Credits during a month shall be sufficient to cover the interest debited during the month.

b. For Term Loan to SHGs: A term loan account where all of the interest payments and/or instalments of principal were paid within 30 days of the due date during the entire tenure of the loans would be considered as an account having prompt payment.

9. Progress Reporting for SEP-I, SEP-G & SEP-SHG

9.1 The ULB will prepare a data sheet of the applications recommended by the TASK force along with their status details of the sanction, disbursement and rejection (along with reasons) after validating the same with the respective banks. This data sheet will be sent to SULM on a monthly basis.

9.2 The SULM will compile all the reports received from respective ULBs and will communicate to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on a monthly basis.

9.3 SULM must ensure that progress under SEP is reviewed in every SLBC and District Consultative Committee (DCC) meetings. Any other important issue with regard to SEP may be taken up by SULM with SLBC convener bank for effective coordination and implementation.

10. Credit Card for enterprise development

10.1 The financial assistance to the individual entrepreneurs though subsidized loan for setting up of enterprises under DAY-NULM could be viewed as initial impetus to facilitate livelihood support to the urban poor. However the individual entrepreneurs require further financial support in terms of working capital to make the enterprise economically sustainable. This may include immediate and short term monthly requirement of cash for meeting expenses for purchase of goods, raw materials and other miscellaneous expenditures etc. The micro-entrepreneur does not have a regular fixed monthly cash inflow/income to meet expenses arising out of entrepreneurial activities. To approach a financial institution for such immediate credit requirement, it requires procedural documentation and consumes a lot of time. This need for working capital credit is generally met from informal sources of credit (including money lenders) which is typically available at high rate of interest.

10.2 In order to support the micro-entrepreneurs to meet their working capital and miscellaneous credit needs, DAY-NULM will facilitate access to Credit Cards or MUDRA Card through banks.

10.3 The SULM in consultation with the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) will finalize the norms, limits and specifications for issuance of Credit Card (or) MUDRA Card to the individual entrepreneurs. The General Credit Card Scheme (GCC), which is being implemented by all scheduled commercial banks or any other variant of credit cards for enterprise development of banks in urban areas, may be explored by SULM and SLBC for the same. The Circular on revised GCC scheme has been issued by RBI notification vide RPCD.MSME&NFS.BC.No.61/06.02.31/2013-14 dated December 02, 2013 available on RBI web-site ‘www.rbi.org.in’.

10.4 The ULB will identify the prospective beneficiaries and will facilitate linkages with banks for issuance of credit cards. The focus is to initially facilitate issuance of credit card to cover all the beneficiaries who have availed financial assistance under SEP. Additionally, other beneficiaries who are running their own business but have not availed assistance under SEP may also be covered if they satisfy the norms of issuance of credit cards.

10.5 The targets for the same may be decided at ULB level and the progress under this component is aggregated at SULM level and communicated to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) periodically.

11. Technology, Marketing and Other Support

11.1 Micro entrepreneurs often need support in order to grow and sustain their businesses. Support needed may be for establishment, technology, marketing, and other services. Micro entrepreneurs who run very small businesses may need to gain a better understanding of what the market needs, demand of the products produced by them, prices, where to sell, etc. Support services under this component are envisaged with a view to provide an encouraging environment for development of micro enterprises.

11.2 The City Livelihoods Centers (CLCs) established under DAY-NULM will offer services to the micro-enterprises such as in establishment (licenses, certificates registration, legal services etc.), production, procurement, technology, processing, marketing, sales, packaging, accounting etc. for long term sustainability. CLCs will also provide support in taking up feasibility/ assessment studies on market demand and market strategy for products and services of micro-enterprises.

11.3 All SEP individual and groups enterprises can avail the services from CLCs as per the norms of CLCs. The CLCs with support of ULB may also tie up with various other government schemes which offer services and benefits for micro-enterprise development for the benefit of prospective beneficiaries.

11.4 The SULM may arrange for additional funds/professional assistance for the purpose of providing above services to CLCs.

12. Funding Pattern of SEP of DAY-NULM

12.1 Funding under this component will be shared between the Centre and the States as per the general norms under DAY-NULM.

12.2 The Ministry will allocate funds to the states on annual basis based on the targets assigned to the states. The states in consultation with the respective SLBCs and ULBs will decide the targets and corresponding funds will be allocated to ULBs so that full reimbursement to the banks on account of Interest subvention is settled during the financial year and no subvention amount remain overdue or pending with the States.

13. Monitoring and Evaluation

13.1 The State Mission management Unit (SMMU) at the State level and City Mission Management Unit (CMMU) at the ULB level will closely monitor progress of activities / targets under this component, undertake reporting and evaluation. The SULM and the ULB/executing agencies shall report timely progress in formats prescribed by the Mission Directorate from time-to-time, indicating the cumulative achievement monthly and up to the end of the quarter and key issues in implementation.

13.2 In addition, under DAY-NULM, a comprehensive and robust IT-enabled DAY-NULM MIS will be established for tracking targets and achievements. States and ULBs will be required to submit their progress reports online and may also use this tool to monitor progress on the ground. In the spirit of proactive disclosure of information and ensuring transparency under DAY-NULM, key progress reports under SEP will also be made available in the public domain in a timely manner.

13.3 All the SEP beneficiaries should be visited periodically to assess the impact of the benefit and also to know any problem being faced by them. The Community Organisers (COs) should visit all the beneficiaries in their jurisdiction at least once in three months. The project officer/ technical experts at CMMU level should visit at least 50% beneficiaries once in three months. The observations during the field visit should be kept in record and be uploaded on MIS also.

13.4 During the field visit mentioned above data on economic status of the beneficiaries should be collected and be compared with similar data given in loan application form, to know the impact of the benefit on the economic conditions of the beneficiaries.

13.5 Impact analysis studies may also be conducted at suitable interval to assess the impact of benefit under SEP on the economic status of the beneficiaries.

13.6 To monitor progress of the targets vis-a-vis achievement under DAY-NULM, Banks are advised to furnish cumulative progress reports on quarterly basis as per enclosed proforma (Annex I & II) to the Director, NULM as well as to RBI on email latest by the end of next month of the quarter to which they relate.

13.7 Unique Code for loans under NULM: Banks are advised to categorise these loans under Non-Farm sector and use unique sub-code in their database for loans granted under NULM. Further, separate sub-sub-codes may also be assigned for SEP-I, SEP-G, SHG and WSHGs. Proper care must be taken while classifying loans under NULM particularly relating to SHG and WSHGs to enable distinct identification of these loans vis-à-vis NRLM loans as WSHGs are eligible for additional 3 percent interest subvention.

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Appendix

RBI/2021-22/11
FIDD.CO.GSSD.BC.No.05/09.09.001/2021-22

April 05, 2021

The Chairman & Managing Director CEO
All Scheduled Commercial Banks &
Small Finance Banks

Dear Sir/Madam,

Master Circular – Credit facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs)

Please refer to the Master Circular FIDD.CO.GSSD.BC.No.03/09.09.001/2019-20 dated July 01, 2019 consolidating guidelines / Instructions / directions issued to banks with regard to providing credit facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

2. The Master Circular has been suitably updated by incorporating the instructions issued up to March 31, 2021 and has also been placed on website https://www.rbi.org.in.

Yours faithfully,

(Kaya Tripathi)
Chief General Manager

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Master Circular – Credit Facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs)

Banks should take the following measures to step up their advances to SCs / STs:

1. Planning Process

1.1 The District Level Consultative Committees formed under the Lead Bank Scheme should continue to be the principal mechanism of co-ordination between banks and development agencies in this regard.

1.2 The district credit plans formulated by the lead banks should clearly indicate the linkage of credit with employment and development schemes.

1.3 Banks will have to establish closer liaison with the District Industries Centres, which have been set up in different districts for promoting self-employment.

1.4 At the block level, a certain weightage is to be given to scheduled castes / scheduled tribes in the planning process. Accordingly, the credit planning should be weighted in favour of scheduled castes / scheduled tribes and special bankable schemes suited to members of these communities should be drawn up to ensure their participation in such schemes and larger flow of credit to them for self-employment. It will be necessary for the banks to consider loan proposals of these communities with utmost sympathy and understanding.

1.5 Banks should periodically review their lending procedures and policies to see that loans are sanctioned in time, are adequate and production-oriented and that they generate incremental income to make them self-liquidating.

1.6 While ‘adopting’ villages for intensive lending, villages with sizeable population of these communities may be specially chosen; the alternative of adopting specific localities (bastis) in the concerned villages which have a concentration of these communities could also be considered.

2. Role of Banks

2.1 Bank staff may help the poor borrowers in filling up the forms and completing other formalities so that they are able to get credit facility within a stipulated period from the date of receipt of applications.

2.2 In order to encourage SC / ST borrowers to take advantage of credit facilities, greater awareness among them about various schemes formulated by banks will have to be created. As a majority of the eligible borrowers would be illiterate persons, publicity through brochures, other literature, etc. will be of limited utility. The more desirable method would be for the field staff of banks to contact such borrowers and explain to them the salient features of the schemes as also the advantages that will accrue. Banks should advise their branches to organize meetings more frequently exclusively for SC / ST beneficiaries to understand their credit needs and to incorporate the same in the credit plan.

2.3 Circulars issued by RBI / NABARD should be circulated among the staff for compliance.

2.4 Banks should not insist on deposits while considering loan applications under Government sponsored poverty alleviation schemes / self-employment programmes from borrowers belonging to SCs / STs. It should also be ensured that applicable subsidy is not held back while releasing the loan component till the full repayment of bank dues. Non-release of subsidy upfront amounts to under-financing and hampers asset creation / income generation.

2.5 The National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation and National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation have been set up under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, respectively. The banks should advise their branches / controlling offices to render all the necessary institutional support to enable the institution to achieve the desired objectives.

2.6 Advances sanctioned to State sponsored organizations of SC / ST, for the specific purpose of purchase and supply of inputs to and / or the marketing of outputs of the beneficiaries viz. artisans, village and cottage industries of these organizations, should be treated as Priority Sector Advances, subject to the condition that the relative advances are exclusively for the purpose of purchase and supply of inputs to and / or marketing of the outputs of beneficiaries of these organizations.

2.7 Rejection of loan applications in respect of SCs / STs should be done at the next higher level instead of at the branch level and reasons of rejection should be clearly indicated.

3. Role of SC / ST Development Corporations

The Government of India has advised all State Governments that the Scheduled Caste/ Tribes Development Corporations can consider bankable schemes / proposals for bank finance. As regards Collateral Security and / or third-party guarantee for loans, guidelines issued to banks on priority sector lending will apply.

4. Reservations for SC / ST Beneficiaries under Major Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

There are several major centrally sponsored schemes under which credit is provided by banks and subsidy is received through Government Agencies. Credit flow under these schemes is monitored by RBI. Under each of these, there is a significant reservation / relaxation for the members of the SC / ST communities.

(i) Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission:

The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has launched Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) by restructuring erstwhile Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, effective from April 01, 2013. DAY-NRLM would ensure adequate coverage of vulnerable sections of the society such that 50% of these beneficiaries are SC/STs. Details of the scheme are available in the Master Circular on NRLM (FIDD.GSSD.CO.BC.No 04/09.01.01/2021-22 dated April 01, 2021).

(ii) Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission:

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, has launched the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) by restructuring erstwhile Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), effective from September 24, 2013, Under DAY-NULM, advances should be extended to SCs / STs to the extent of their strength in the local population. Details of the scheme are available in the Master Circular on DAY-NULM (FIDD.GSSD.CO.BC.No.03/09.16.03/2021-22 dated April 05, 2021).

(iii) Differential Rate of Interest Scheme

Under the DRI Scheme, banks provide finance up to ₹15,000/- at a concessional rate of interest of 4 percent per annum to the weaker sections of the community for engaging in productive and gainful activities. In order to ensure that persons belonging to SCs / STs also derive adequate benefit under the Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme, banks have been advised to grant to eligible borrowers belonging to SCs / STs such advances to the extent of not less than 2/5th (40 percent) of total DRI advances. Further, the eligibility criteria under DRI that size of land holding should not exceed 1 acre of irrigated land and 2.5 acres of unirrigated land are not applicable to SCs / STs. Members of SCs / STs satisfying the income criteria of the scheme can also avail of housing loan up to ₹20,000/- per beneficiary over and above the individual loan of ₹15,000/- available under the scheme.

5. Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes (CEGSSC)

The CEGSSC was launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment on 6th May, 2015 with the objective to promote entrepreneurship amongst the Scheduled Castes (SCs), by providing Credit Enhancement Guarantee to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs), who shall be providing financial assistance to these entrepreneurs. IFCI Ltd. has been designated as the Nodal Agency under the scheme, to issue the guarantee cover in favour of MLIs, who shall be encouraged to finance SCs entrepreneurs to boost entrepreneurship amongst the marginal strata of the society.

Eligibility: Registered Companies and Societies/Registered Partnership Firms/Sole Proprietorship firms/Individual SC Entrepreneur having more than 51% shareholding by SC entrepreneurs/promoters/members with the management control for the past 6 months are eligible for guarantee from IFCI Ltd. against the loans extended by MLIs Bank / Institutions.

Amount of Guarantee cover under CEGSSC- Min ₹ 0.15 Cr. & Max. ₹ 5.00 Cr

Tenure of Guarantee – Max. 7 years or repayment period whichever is earlier.

6. Monitoring and Review

6.1 A special cell should be set up at the Head Office of banks for monitoring the flow of credit to SC / ST beneficiaries. Apart from ensuring the implementation of the RBI guidelines, the cell would also be responsible for collection of relevant information / data from the branches, consolidation thereof and submission of the requisite returns to RBI and Government.

6.2 SLBC convenor Bank should invite the representative of National Commission for SCs / STs to attend SLBC meetings. Besides, the Convener bank may also invite representatives from National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) and State Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (SCDC) to attend SLBC meetings.

6.3 A periodical review should be made by the Head Office of banks of the credit extended to SCs / STs on the basis of returns and other data received from the branches.

6.4 Bank should review the measures taken to enhance the flow of credit to SC / ST borrowers on a quarterly basis. The Review should also consider the progress made in lending to these communities directly or through the State Level Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe Corporations for various purposes based, amongst others, on field visits of the senior officers from the Head Office / Controlling Offices. Any major gap or variation in credit flow to SC/ST on a year to year basis should be reported to Board of the Bank for review under the themes of “Financial Inclusion” in term of circular DBR No.BC.93/29.67.001/2014-15 dated May14, 2015.

7. Reporting Requirements

Data on advances to SCs and STs should be reported as prescribed in Master Direction under Priority sector lending vide Master Direction FIDD.CO.Plan.5/04.09.01/2020-21 dated September 04, 2020. Banks are advised to submit the same in a timely manner.

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Credit Facilities to Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes
List of Circulars Consolidated in the Master Circular

No.	Circular No.	Date	Subject
1.	DBOD.No.BP.BC.172/C.464(R)-78	12.12.78	Role of Banks in Promoting Employment
2.	DBOD.No.BP.BC.8/C.453(K)-Gen	09.01.79	Agricultural Credit to Small and Marginal Farmers
3.	DBOD.No.BP.BC.45/C.469(86)-81	14.04.81	Credit Facilities to SC / ST
4.	DBOD.No.BP.BC.132/C.594-81	22.10.81	Recommendations of the Working Group on the Development of Scheduled Castes
5	RPCD.No.PS.BC.2/C.594-82	10.09.82	Credit Facilities to SC / ST
6.	RPCD.No.PS.BC.9/C.594-82	05.11.82	Concessional Bank Finance to SC / ST Development Corporations
7.	RPCD.No.PS.BC.4/C. 594-83	22.08.83	Credit Facilities to SC / ST
8.	RPCD.No.PS.1777/C. 594-83	21.11.83	Credit Facilities to SC / ST
9.	RPCD.No.PS.1814/C.594-83	23.11.83	Credit Facilities to SC / ST
10.	RPCD.No.PS.BC.20/C.568(A)-84	24.01.84	Credit Facilities to SC / ST – Rejection of Loan Applications
11.	RPCD.No.CONFS/274/PB-1-84/85	15.04.85	Role of Private Sector Banks in Lending to SCs / STs
12.	RPCD.No.CONFS.62/PB-1-85/86	24.07.85	Role of Private Sector Banks in Lending to SCs / STs
13.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.22/C.453(U)-85	09.10.85	Credit Facilities to Scheduled Tribes under DRI Scheme
14.	RPCD.No.SP.376/C-594-87/88	31.07.87	Credit Facilities to SC / ST
15.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.129/C.594(Spl)/88-89	28.06.89	National SC / ST Finance and Development Corporation
16.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.50/C.594-89/90	25.10.89	Scheduled Caste Development Corporation – Instructions on Unit Cost
17.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.107/C.594-89/90	16.05.90	Credit Facilities to SCs / STs
18.	RPCD.No.SP.1005/C.594/90-91	04.12.90	Credit facilities to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes – Evaluation Study
19.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.93/C.594.MMS-90/91	13.03.91	Scheduled Caste Development Corporation (SCDCs) – Instructions on Unit Cost
20.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.122/C.453(U)-90-91	14.05.91	Housing Finance to SCs / STs – Inclusion under the DRI Scheme
21.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.118/C.453(U)-92/93	27.05.93	Priority Sector Advances – Housing Finance
22.	RPCD.No.LBS.BC.86/02.01.01/96-97	16.12.96	Inclusion of National Commission for SCs / STs in State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs)
23.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.124/09.09.01/96-97	15.04.97	Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCs / STs – Insisting on Deposits from SCs / STs by Banks
24.	RPCD.No.SAA.BC.67/08.01.00/98-99	11.02.99	Credit Facilities to SCs / STs
25.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.51/09.09.01/2002-03	04.12.02	Proceedings of the work shop on the role of financial institutions in the development of SCs and STs
26.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.84/09.09.01/2002-03	09.04.03	Amendment to the Master Circular
27.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.100/09.09.01/2002-03	04.06.03	Changes in the reporting system
28.	RPCD.No.SP.BC.102/09.09.01/2002-03	23.06.03	Sample study for review of credit flow to SCs and STs – Major Findings
29.	RPCD.SP.BC.No.49/09.09.01/2007-08	19.02.08	Credit facilities to SC / STs – Revised Annexure
30.	RPCD.GSSD.BC.No.81/09.01.03/2012-13	27.06.13	Restructuring of SGSY as National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
31.	RPCD.CO.GSSD.BC.No.26/09.16.03/2014-15	14.08.14	Restructuring of Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) as National Urban Livelihood Mission
32.	FIDD.CO.GSSD.BC.No.06/09.09.001/2017-18	01.07.2017	Credit facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs)
33.	FIDD.CO.GSSD.BC.No.03/09.09.001/2019-20	01.07.2019	Credit facilities to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs)