Role and Functions of Reserve Bank of India

Role of RBI

Pre-reform Post-reform
Developmental Role: the developmental role has increased in view of the changing structure of the economy with a focus on SMEs and financial inclusion Priority Sector Lending: Introduced from 1974 with public sector banks. Extended to all commercial banks by 1992 In the revised guidelines for PSL the thrust is on ensuring adequate flow of bank credit to those sectors that impact large segments of the population and weaker sections, and to the sectors which are employment intensive such as agriculture and small enterprises
Lead Bank Scheme Special Agricultural Credit Plan introduced.
Kisan Credit Card scheme (1998-99)
Focus on credit flow to micro, small and  medium enterprises development
Financial Inclusion
Monetary Policy: the role of RBI has changed from regulating credit and money flow directly to using market mechanisms for achieving policy targets. MP framework has changed to promote financial deregulations and market development. Role as a facilitator rather than as principal actor. M3 as an intermediary target Multiple Indicator Approach
Regulation of foreign exchange Management of foreign exchange
Direct credit control Open Market Operations, MSS, LAF
Rupee convertability highly managed Full current ac convertability and some capital account convertability
Banker to the government Monetary policy was linked to the fiscal policy due to automatic monetisation of the deficit Delinking of monetary policy from the fiscal policy. From 2006, under FRBM, RBI ceased to participate in the primary market auctions of the central government’s securities.
As regulator of financial sector: As regulator of the financial sector, RBI has faced the challenge of regulating the increasing financial sector in India. Credit flows have increased. RBI had to make sure that financial institutions are regulated in a way to protect the consumers while not impeding economic growth. Reduction in SLR
Custodian of FOREX reserves Forex reserves have increased drastically. Need to manage it adequately and avoid inflationary impact
Inflation Direct instruments were used Multiple indicators
Financial Stability Closed economy Increased FDI and FII has made financial stability one of the policy objectives.
Money Market Narsimhan Committee (1998) recommended reforms in the money market

 

 

Indian Economy in global Scenario

 

The global macroeconomic landscape is currently chartering a rough and uncertain terrain characterized by weak growth of world output. The situation has been exacerbated by;
(i) declining prices of a number of commodities, with reduction in crude oil prices being the most visible of them,
(ii) turbulent fnancial markets (more so equity markets), and
(iii) volatile exchange rates.

These conditions refect extreme risk-aversion behaviour of global investors, thus putting many, and in particular, commodities exporting economies under considerable stress.

Even in these trying and uncertain circumstances, India’s growth story has largely remained positive on the strength of domestic absorption, and the country has registered a robust and steady pace of economic growth in 2015-16 as it did in 2014-15. Additionally, its other macroeconomic parameters like infation, fscal defcit and current account balance have exhibited distinct signs of improvement. Wholesale price infation has been in negative territory for more than a year and the all-important consumer prices infation has declined to nearly half of what it was a few years ago.

However, weak growth in advanced and emerging economies has taken its toll on India’s exports. As imports have also declined, principally on account of reduced prices of crude oil for which the country is heavily dependent on imports, trade and current account defcits continue to be moderate. Growth in agriculture has slackened due to two successive years of less-than-normal monsoon rains. Saving and investment rates are showing hardly any signs of revival. The rupee has depreciated vis-à-vis the US dollar, like most other currencies in the world, although less so in magnitude. At the same time, it has appreciated against a number of other major currencies. Given the fact that the government is committed to carrying the reform process forward, aided by the prevailing macroeconomic stability, it appears that conditions do exist for raising the economy’s growth momentum and achieving growth rates of 8 per cent or higher in the next couple of years.

Agriculture of Sikkim for Sikkim PSC

Agriculture of Sikkim

  • The economy of Sikkim is linked with Agriculture of Sikkim that serves as the source of livelihood and economic security of sizeable native population.
  • The growth, however, has been restricted because of biotic and abiotic factors.
  • It is estimated that over 80 per cent of the rural population depends on agriculture and allied sectors for economic, food, and nutritional security.
  • The agriculture systems practiced in Sikkim are integrated in natures that have evolved through years of experimentation by the farmers.
  • A marginal improvement in the lifestyle of the farmers has been witnessed with the adoption of modern technologies.
  • Sikkim State has some inherent strength that largely supports organic farming.
  • The policies and programmes on organic farming, in tune with our natural endowment envisage making Sikkim a Model Organic State.
  • The march towards organic farming has led to substantial departmental intervention.
  • A large number of initiatives have been taken by the Agriculture and Horticulture departments.Agriculture of Sikkim

Area, Production and Productivity in Agriculture of Sikkim 2015-16

           Crop Area (000’ hectares) Production (000’ tones) Productivity (kg./ha)
Rice 10.67 19.69 1845.25
Wheat 0.32 0.35 1071.21
Maize 38.96 68.31 1753.56
Finger Millet 2.85 2.91 1020.33
Barley 0.45 0.47 1055.93
Buckwheat 3.57 3.47 972.27
Pulses 5.67 5.38 948.85
Oilseeds 6.94 6.31 909.75

 

Rice

  • Cultivation of rice requires hot and moist climate.
  • It is a Kharief crop and is sown in March-April and harvested in Autumn.
  • Sufficient water must cover the fields.
  • Temperature: Rice requires hot and humid conditions. The temperature should be fairly high i.e. 24°C mean monthly temperature with average temperature of 22°C to 32°C.
  • Rainfall: Rainfall ranging between 150-300 cm is suitable for its growth, where rainfall is less than 100 cm, rice is cultivated with the help of irrigation.
  • Soil: Rice is grown in varied soil conditions but deep clayey and loamy soil provides the ideal conditions.

Wheat

  • Wheat is another cereal crop of Sikkim growing in almost all villages of Sikkim having cool winter and hot summer climate, irrespective of elevation and irrigation facilities.
  • It is a rabi crop and its plant requires a cool and somewhat moist climate in the beginning and warm and dry weather at the harvest time.
  • The average rainfall should be between 50 to 70 cms. and that too at intervals.
  • It is sown in August and harvested in March, April.

Maize

  • Maize is one of the most important cereal crops of Agriculture of Sikkim.
  • It is grown over an area of about 36,000-40,000 hectare which is about 35-40% of total cultivable area.
  • It requires hot dry climate.
  • Rainfall required for maize varies from 75 cms to 125 cms.
  • It is sown in May-July and harvested in August-November.

Oil- seed

  • Rape Seed, Mustard, linseed, sesamum, toria, cottonseed are the chief varieties of oil-seeds.
  • They require hot and moist climate.

Barley

  • Barley is a minor rabi cereal crop of Sikkim grown only in small pockets over an area of about 1.15 thousand hectare.
  • The production of barley is subjected by systematic implementation of Agronomic Practices as well as crop improvement work including introduction and Acclimatization of high yielding varieties.

Tuber crops, spices, fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants

  • Tuber Crops: Potato,Sweet Potata
  • Spices: Large Cardamom, Ginger, Chilli, Turmeric, Coriander
  • Fruits: Mandarin, Passion fruit, Banana, Guava, Papaya, Jack fruit, Litchi
  • Vegetables: Brocoli, Onion, Brinjal, Carrot, Iskus, Pumpkin, Radish, Tomato, Tree Tomato, Cabbage, Cauli flower
  • Ornamental Plants: Anthurium, Cymbidium, Rose

Important Organic Cash Crops of Agriculture of Sikkim

  • Important organically grown cash crops of the state are oranges, large cardomom, ginger, turmeric, cherry paper, baby corn, buck heat, pulses etc.
  • All these organic crops have a high demand in domestic and international markets.

SIKKIM MANDARIN ORANGE

  • Mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) is the most common among citrus fruits grown in India.
  • It occupies nearly 50% of the total citrus area in India.
  • Mandatrin group includes all types of loose jacket oranges commonly called Santra or mandarin such as Nagpur Santra, Coorg Santra, Khasi Mandarin, Sikkim Mandarin etc.
  • Sikkim mandarin represents the most important commercial fruit of Sikkim and is similar to the Nepal or Assam or Darjeeling mandarin.

TURMERIC

  • The Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an important spice used conventionally as a natural food colorant and as an additive for imparting to food orange-yellow colour, flavor and aroma.
  • It is also valued as an antiseptic for its anti-inflammatory property and is used in beauty treatment or in the cosmetic industry and dye plants.
  • It is the most researched spice for medicinal use and occupy prominent place in traditional medicine system for treatment of cough, flu, anemia, asthma, sprain and pain, skin diseases, sinus etc. It is loaded with antioxidant properties.
  • It is propagated through tuberous seed rhizome. Its cultivation in unutilized areas and forest areas as well as in cultivated land is gaining popularity in the state in recent years, especially in niche areas having an altitude of 3000 ft amsl and less.
  • With similar cultivation practices as that of ginger, turmeric is grown both as pure crop as well as mixed with maize, chilly, bean, vegetable etc under both rainfed and irrigated conditions.
  • Small and marginal farmers in the state take up the crop in small operational holdings with cultivation of the crop contributing to generation of income as well as in promotion of livelihood of farmers in the state

BUCK WHEAT

  • The area and production of this crop in Sikkim are 2760 hectares and 1,380 tonnes respectively.
  • It is widely grown in the hilly tracts of the Sikkim.
  • In recent years, the area and production has gone up considerably.
  • It is now considered a cash crop fetching even higher price than rice.
  • As a result, it is not only grown on slopy dry land but also as a chief rotational crop between paddy and maize in Sikkim.
  • The crop is grown right from 300 m to 2,500 m in the hills.

BABY CORN

  • Baby Corn cultivation is a recent development in Sikkim.
  • Major motive behind popularization of the crop is to increase the economic condition of farmers.
  • The potential of growing the crop in the state is visualized from the production and productivity of maize.
  • Thought less remunerative, maize is the only crop in Sikkim which is successfully grown in approximately 39000 ha area across different agroecological condition.

GINGER

  • Ginger is cultivated in Sikkim since time immemorial.
  • It is also used for religious purpose by Limboo Phedangma and Rai Bijuwas which shows its attachment with the people of Sikkim from ancient period.
  • Its commercial value has been recently exploited due to sudden price hike in market.
  • Now, it is grown as one of the important cash crops of Sikkim below 1,500 m amsl occupying a considerable area.
  • The important ginger-growing areas are:
  1. Mangalbaria, Chakung, Tharpu, Gyalshing, Zoom in West district;
  2. Turuk, Sumbuk, Rateypani, Namthang, Mellidara, Maniram, Namchi and Temi-Tarku in South district;
  3. Rhenock, Rongli, Pakyong, Rorathang, Khamdong, Pendam, Sirwani and Rangpo in East district and in small pockets of North district.
  • The important markets of ginger are Melli, Gyalshing, Rangpo, Singtam, Nayabazar and Resh.

LARGE CARDAMOM

  • It is a native crop of Agriculture of Sikkim.
  • The presence of wild species, locally known as ‘Churumpa’ like Amomum aromaticum, A. dealbatum, A. Kingir, A. corynostachyum, A. Lingiforme etc. and tremendous variability within the cultivated species in Sikkim support the view of its origin.
  • It is the most important revenue earning crop of Agriculture of Sikkim.
  • The dried capsules are marketed at Amritsar,Delhi, Kanpur, Kolkata and Lucknow for further distribution.
  • Large cardamom is also cultivated in parts of Uttarakhand and in some other North-Eastern States.
  • Nepal and Bhutan are other countries where large cardamom is cultivate.

 

Salient Features of  India/Agriculture of Sikkim

  1. Subsistence Agriculture of Sikkim: Most parts of India have subsistence agriculture. This type of agriculture has been practised in India for several hundreds of years and still prevails in a larger part of India in spite of the large scale change in agricultural practices after independence.
  2. Pressure of population on Agriculture of Sikkim: Despite increase in urbanization and industrialization, about 70% of population is still directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture.
  3. Mechanization of farming of Agriculture of Sikkim: Green Revolution took place in India in the late sixties and early seventies. After more than forty years of Green Revolution and revolution in agricultural machinery and equipments, complete mechanization is still a distant dream
  4. Dependence upon monsoon: Since independence, there has been a rapid expansion of irrigation infrastructure. Despite the large scale expansion, only about one third of total cropped area is irrigated today. As a consequence, two third of cropped areas is still dependent upon monsoon. Monsoon in India is uncertain and unreliable. This has become even more unreliable due to change in climate.
  5. Variety of crops Agriculture of Sikkim: India has diversity of topography, climate and soil. Since India has both tropical and temperate climate, crops of both the climate are found in India. There are very few countries in the world that have variety comparable to that of India..
  6. Predominance of food crops of Agriculture of Sikkim: Since Indian agriculture has to feed a large population, production of food crops is the first priority of the farmers almost everywhere in the country. However, in recent years, there has been a decline in the share of land used for food crops due to various other commercially most advantageous uses of this land.
  7. Seasonal patterns of Agriculture of Sikkim: India has three distinct agricultural/cropping seasons. You might have heard about kharif, rabi and zaid. In India there are specific crops grown in these three seasons. For example rice is a kharif crop whereas wheat is a rabi crop.

 

Challenges are faced by farmers

Farmers of our country are facing lot of problems regarding agricultural production of crop. Few of them are shortlisted below:

  • Uncertain weather
  • Uneven water availability
  • Lesser yield
  • Low quality crops
  • Lack of soil nutrients
  • Buyer’s monopoly
  • Less cash in hand
  • Less scientific guidance during agricultural
  • Less information regarding selection of crop seed
  • Inadequate information of plant root moisture holding capacity
  • Less information of scientific irrigation process for maximum yield
  • Less aware of the market and growing technology

 

CPI

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) of the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation announced that the new series of Consumer Price Index(CPI)  numbers for Rural, Urban and Combined (Rural +Urban) on base 2010 ( January to December)=100 taking all segments of rural and urban Population for the month of January, 2011 will be released by the  Central Statistics Office for the States/UTs and all- India on 18th February, 2011.These indices will be available for five major groups namely Food, beverages and tobacco; Fuel and Light; Housing; Clothing, bedding and footwear, and Miscellaneous.

economy/cpi/#more-805″>Read moreCPI

Services

Current Status
  • It is the largest and fastest growing sector globally contributing to the global output and employing more people than any other sector
  • Why has Services-sector”>services sector grown?
    • Increase in Urbanisation, privatisation and more demand for intermediate and final consumer services
    • Availability of quality services is vital for the well being of the economy
  • Service sector in India accounts for more than half of India’s GDP.
  • Key service https://exam.pscnotes.com/industry”>Industry in India: Health and Education
    • A robust healthcare system will help create a strong and diligent Human Capital who in turn can contribute productively to the nation’s Growth
  • Marked increase in services sector growth in the post liberalisation period
  • Account for 55.2 % share of GDP
  • Grows annually by 10%
  • Contributing to about a quarter of total EMPLOYMENT, high share of FDI inflows, over one third of total exports and recording a very fast growth of 27.4 pc through the first half of 2010-11.
  • The ratcheting of the overall growth rate (CAGR) of the Indian economy from 5.7% in the 1990s to 8.6 pc during 2004-05 to 2009-10 was to a large measure due to the acceleration of CAGR in the services sector from 7.5 pc in the 1990s to 10.3 pc in 2004-05 to 2009-10.
  • Services sector growth has been around 10 pc since 2005-06

Contribution of Services sector to Indian economy

  • Share in GDP
    • 1950-51: 30.5 pc
    • 2009-10: 55.2 pc
    • If construction is included (RBI and WTO method): 63.4 pc
  • CSO Classification
    • Trade, hotels and restaurants (16.3 of national GDP)
    • Transport, storage and Communication (7.8 of GDP)
    • Financing, Insurance, real estate and business services (16.7)
    • Community, social and personal services (14.4)
  • Services trade surplus: USD 54 bn (2008-09)
    • USD 35.7 bn (2009-10)
  • China (10.5%) followed by India (8.9%) remain the two fastest growing economies in top 12 countries.
  • Statewise
    • States such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have Shares equal to or above all-India share of services in the GDP

FDI in Services

  • 44 pc of FDI inflows between 2000 and 2009 were in the services sector (construction excluded)
    • Of this financial and non-financial companies have attracted the largest FDI
  • Not all sectors are fully open for FDI. Reforms are needed.
  • FDI in retail <do detailed>
    • FDI in single brand retail is permitted upto 51%. Now 100 pc.
    • FDI in multi-brand retail is being debated
    • Permitting FDI in retail in a phased manner beginning with the metros and incentivising existing retailer to modernise could help the interests of consumers as well as farmers
    • FDI in retail in bring in latest technology and Supply Chain Management in the country
    • The move for FDI in retail has been opposed on the ground that the move could result in widespread closure of small time shops.
    • The way out could be lay down strict rules of operation for foreign retail chains
      • Include requirement of local procurement
      • This will also lead to stabilising prices by cutting out the middlemen
    • FDI in insurance
      • There is a proposal to raise the FDI cap in the insurance sector from the current 26 pc to 49 pc.
      • A bill for this has been pending before the Parliament
      • Some new sectors in insurance should be opened up – like health insurance
      • This will enable India export super speciality hospital services and medical tourism
      • Withdraw FDI restrictions on foreign re-insurance companies. This will help India access the global re-insurance businesses
    • Banking
      • There is a scope for attracting large investments from abroad
      • Currently 74% Investment is allowed.
      • There is 10 pc limit on voting rights in respect of banking companies
      • FDI in banking should be seen in the context of overall financial stability
    • New Areas for FDI
      • Railways
        • Rakesh Mohan Committee on Infrastructure had recommended throwing up the entire RAILWAY sector open to private investment
        • The finance ministry paper (2010) suggested 26 FDI in railways which can help overcome the current drought in investment in the railways
      • Shipping
        • India’s shipping tonnage is inadequate, accounting for mere 1.17% of global registration
        • The share of India’s vessels in carriage of India’s overseas trade had dropped from 40% in late 1980s to about 9.5% in 2008-09
      • Accountancy, legal services, healthcare and education services

Way Forward

  • Retain the country’s competitiveness in those services sectors where it has already distinguished such as IT and ITeS
  • The next task is to make foray into some traditional Realms such as tourism and shipping where other nations have already established themselves.
  • Make serious inroads into globally traded services in still Niche areas for India such as financial services, healthcare, education, accountancy, legal and other business services where the country possesses a huge domestic market but has also displayed signs of making a dent in the global market.
  • This requires
    • Reciprocal movements on the part of India in opening up its own market, liberalising FDI not only to improve the infrastructure but also to absorb the best practices that are so universally acclaimed.
    • Set up strong institutional bodies in the form of regulatory agencies to take care of both domestic and international interests in case when market-distorting moves are made by either party.
  • Non-Equity modes of engagement could be used to bypass the political difficulties in reforms

The Government of India has adopted a few initiatives in the recent past. Some of these are as follows:

  • The Government of India plans to significantly liberalise its visa regime, including allowing multiple-entry tourist and business visas, which is expected to boost India’s services exports.
  •  The Government of India announced plan to increase the number of common service centres or e-Seva centres to 250,000 from 150,000 currently to enable village level entrepreneurs to interact with national experts for guidance, besides serving as a e-services distribution point.
  • The Central Government is considering a two-rate structure for the goods and service tax(GST), under which key services will be taxed at a lower rate compared to the standard rate, which will help to minimize the impact on consumers due to increase in service tax.
  • The Government of India plans to take mobile Network to nearly 10 per cent of Indian villages that are still unconnected.
  • The Government of India has proposed provide tax benefits for transactions made electronically through credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, net banking and other means, as part of broader strategy to reduce use of cash and thereby constrain the parallel economy operating outside legitimate financial system.
  • The Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) has allowed third-party white label automated teller machines (ATM) to accept international cards, including international prepaid cards, and has also allowed white label ATMs to tie up with any commercial bank for cash supply.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money supply is the entire stock of currency and other liquid instruments in a country’s economy as of a particular time. The Money Supply can include cash, coins and balances held in checking and Savings accounts.

Money Supply can be estimated as narrow or Broad Money.

There are four measures of money supply in India which are denoted by M1, M2, M3 and M4. This classification was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in April 1977. Prior to this till March 1968, the RBI published only one measure of the money supply, M or defined as currency and demand deposits with the public. This was in keeping with the traditional and Keynesian views of the narrow measure of the money supply.

 

 

M1 (Narrow Money) consists of:

(i) Currency with the public which includes notes and coins of all denominations in circulation excluding cash on hand with banks:

(ii) Demand deposits with commercial and Cooperative banks, excluding inter-bank deposits; and

(iii) ‘Other deposits’ with RBI which include current deposits of foreign central banks, financial institutions and quasi-financial institutions such as IDBI, IFCI, etc., other than of banks, IMF, IBRD, etc. The RBI characterizes as narrow money.

M2. which consists of M1 plus Post Office savings bank deposits. Since savings bank deposits of commercial and cooperative banks are included in the money supply, it is essential to include post office savings bank deposits. The majority of people in rural and urban India have preference for post office deposits from the safety viewpoint than bank deposits.

M3. (Broad Money) which consists of M1, plus time deposits with commercial and cooperative banks, excluding interbank time deposits. The RBI calls M3 as broad money.

M4.which consists of M3 plus total post office deposits comprising time deposits and demand deposits as well. This is the broadest measure of money supply.

High powered money – The total liability of the monetary authority of the country, RBI, is called the monetary base or high powered money. It consists of currency ( notes and coins in circulation with the public and vault cash of Commercial Banks) and deposits held by the Government of India and commercial banks with RBI. If a memeber of the public produces a currency note to RBI the latter must pay her value equal to the figure printed on the note. Similarly, the deposits are also refundable by RBI on demand from deposit holders. These items are claims which the general public, government or banks have on RBI and are considered to be the liability of RBI.

RBI acquires assets against these liabilities. The process can be understood easily if we consider a simple stylised example. Suppose RBI purchases gold or dollars worth Rs. 5. It pays for thr gold or Foreign Exchange by issuing currency to the seller. The currency in circulation in the economy thus goes up by Rs. 5, an item that shows up on the liabilityside of RBI’s Balance sheet. The value of the acquired asset, also equal to Rs. 5, is entered under the appropriate head on the Assets side. Similarly, the RBI acquires debt Bonds or securities issued by the government and pays the government by issuing currency. It issues loans to commercial banks in a similar fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

Role of RBI
Pre-reform Post-reform
Developmental Role: the developmental role has increased in view of the changing structure of the economy with a focus on SMEs and Financial Inclusion Priority Sector Lending: Introduced from 1974 with Public Sector Banks. Extended to all commercial banks by 1992 In the revised guidelines for PSL the thrust is on ensuring adequate flow of bank credit to those sectors that impact large segments of the Population and weaker sections, and to the sectors which are employment intensive such as Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture and small enterprises
Lead Bank Scheme Special Agricultural credit Plan introduced.
Kisan Credit Card scheme (1998-99)
Focus on credit flow to micro, small and  medium enterprises development
Financial Inclusion
Monetary Policythe role of RBI has changed from regulating credit and money flow directly to using market mechanisms for achieving policy targets. MP framework has changed to promote financial deregulations and market development. Role as a facilitator rather than as principal actor. M3 as an intermediary target Multiple Indicator Approach
Regulation of foreign exchange Management of foreign exchange
Direct credit control Open Market Operations, MSS, LAF
Rupee convertability highly managed Full current ac convertability and some Capital Account convertability
Banker to the government Monetary policy was linked to the Fiscal Policy due to automatic monetisation of the deficit Delinking of monetary policy from the fiscal policy. From 2006, under FRBM, RBI ceased to participate in the Primary Market auctions of the central government’s securities.
As regulator of financial sector: As regulator of the financial sector, RBI has faced the challenge of regulating the increasing financial sector in India. Credit flows have increased. RBI had to make sure that financial institutions are regulated in a way to protect the consumers while not impeding economic growth. Reduction in SLR
Custodian of FOREX reserves Forex reserves have increased drastically. Need to manage it adequately and avoid inflationary impact
Inflation Direct instruments were used Multiple indicators
Financial Stability Closed economy Increased FDI and FII has made financial stability one of the policy objectives.
Money Market Narsimhan Committee (1998) recommended reforms in the money market

 

 

  1. Role of Commercial Banks
  2. Issue of NPA
  3. Financial Inclusion
Role of Commercial Banks

A Commercial bank is a type of financial institution that provides services such as accepting deposits, making business loans, and offering basic investment products

There is acute shortage of capital. People lack initiative and enterprise. Means of transport are undeveloped. Industry is depressed. The commercial banks help in overcoming these obstacles and promoting Economic Development. The role of a commercial bank in a developing country is discussed as under.

  1. Mobilising Saving for Capital Formation:

The commercial banks help in mobilising savings through network of branch banking. People in developing countries have low incomes but the banks induce them to save by introducing variety of deposit schemes to suit the needs of individual depositors. They also mobilise idle savings of the few rich. By mobilising savings, the banks channelize them into productive investments. Thus they help in the capital formation of a developing country.

  1. Financing Industry:

The commercial banks finance the Industrial Sector in a number of ways. They provide short-term, medium-term and long-term loans to industry.

  1. Financing Trade:

The commercial banks help in financing both internal and external trade. The banks provide loans to retailers and wholesalers to stock goods in which they deal. They also help in the movement of goods from one place to another by providing all types of facilities such as discounting and accepting bills of exchange, providing overdraft facilities, issuing drafts, etc. Moreover, they finance both exports and imports of developing countries by providing foreign exchange facilities to importers and exporters of goods.

  1. Financing Agriculture:

The commercial banks help the large agricultural sector in developing countries in a number of ways. They provide loans to traders in agricultural commodities. They open a network of branches in rural areas to provide agricultural credit. They provide finance directly to agriculturists for the Marketing of their produce, for the modernisation and mechanisation of their farms, for providing Irrigation facilities, for developing land, etc.

They also provide financial assistance for animal husbandry, Dairy farming, sheep breeding, Poultry farming, pisciculture and Horticulture. The small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural workers, artisans and petty shopkeepers in rural areas are provided financial assistance through the Regional Rural Banks in India. These regional rural banks operate under a commercial bank. Thus the commercial banks meet the credit requirements of all types of rural people. In India agricultural loans are kept in priority sector landing.

  1. Financing Consumer Activities:

People in underdeveloped countries being poor and having low incomes do not possess sufficient financial Resources to buy durable consumer goods. The commercial banks advance loans to consumers for the purchase of such items as houses, scooters, fans, refrigerators, etc. In this way, they also help in raising the standard of living of the people in developing countries by providing loans for consumptive activities and also increase the demand in the economy.

  1. Financing Employment Generating Activities:

The commercial banks finance employment generating activities in developing countries. They provide loans for the education of young person’s studying in engineering, medical and other vocational institutes of higher Learning. They advance loans to young entrepreneurs, medical and engineering graduates, and other technically trained persons in establishing their own business. Such loan facilities are being provided by a number of commercial banks in India. Thus the banks not only help inhuman capital formation but also in increasing entrepreneurial activities in developing countries.

  1. Help in Monetary Policy:

The commercial banks help the economic development of a country by faithfully following the monetary policy of the central bank. In fact, the central bank depends upon the commercial banks for the success of its policy of monetary management in keeping with requirements of a developing economy.

 

Issue of NPA

A non performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days.According to RBI, terms loans on which interest or installment of principal remain overdue for a period of more than 90 days from the end of a particular quarter is called a Non-performing Asset.

However, in terms of Agriculture / Farm Loans; the NPA is defined as under:

  • For short duration crop agriculture loans such as paddy, Jowar, Bajra etc. if the loan (installment / interest) is not paid for 2 crop seasons , it would be termed as a NPA.
  • For Long Duration Crops, the above would be 1 Crop season from the due date.

The Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act has provisions for the banks to take legal recourse to recover their dues. When a borrower makes any default in repayment and his account is classified as NPA; the secured creditor has to issue notice to the borrower giving him 60 days to pay his dues. If the dues are not paid, the bank can take possession of the assets and can also give it on lease or sell it; as per provisions of the SAFAESI Act.

Reselling of NPAs :- If a bad loan remains NPA for at least two years, the bank can also resale the same to the Asset Reconstruction Companies such as Asset Reconstruction Company (India) (ARCIL).  These sales are only on Cash Basis and the purchasing bank/ company would have to keep the accounts for at least 15 months before it sells to other bank. They purchase such loans on low amounts and try to recover as much as possible from the defaulters. Their revenue is difference between the purchased amount and recovered amount.

Financial Inclusion

Financial inclusion or inclusive financing is the delivery of financial services at affordable costs to sections of disadvantaged and low-income segments of Society, in contrast to financial exclusion where those services are not available or affordable.

Government of India has launched an innovative scheme of Jan Dhan Yojna for Financial Inclusion to provide the financial services to millions out of the regulated banking sector.

 

Various program’s for financial inclusion are:-

  • Swabhimaan Scheme: under the Swabhimaan campaign, the Banks were advised to provide appropriate banking facilities to habitations having a population in excess of 2000 (as per 2001 census) by March 2012.
  • Extention of  the banking network in unbanked areas,
  • Expansion of Business Correspondent Agent (BCA) Network
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL)
  • RuPay, a new card payment scheme has been conceived by NPCI to offer a domestic, open-loop, multilateral card payment system which will allow all Indian banks and financial Institutions in India to participate in electronic payments.
  • Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was formally launched on 28th August, 2014. The Yojana envisages universal access to banking facilities with at least one basic banking account for every household, financial Literacy, access to credit, insurance and pension. The beneficiaries would get a RuPay Debit Card having inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs.1.00 lakh. In addition there is a life insurance cover of Rs.30000/- to those people who opened their bank accounts for the first time between 15.08.2014 to 26.01.2015 and meet other eligibility conditions of the Yojana.
  •  PUBLIC FINANCE

    Public finance is the study of the role of the government in the economy. It is the branch of economics which assesses the government revenue and government expenditure of the public authorities and the adjustment of one or the other to achieve desirable effects and avoid undesirable ones.

    It includes the study of :-

    Fiscal policy relates to raising and expenditure of money in quantitative and qualitative manner.Fiscal policy is the use of government spending and Taxation to influence the economy. Governments typically use fiscal policy to promote strong and sustainable growth and reduce POVERTY. The role and objectives of fiscal policy gained prominence during the recent global economic crisis, when governments stepped in to support financial systems, jump-start growth, and mitigate the impact of the crisis on vulnerable groups.

    Historically, the prominence of fiscal policy as a policy tool has waxed and waned. Before 1930, an approach of limited government, or laissez-faire, prevailed. With the stock market crash and the Great Depression, policymakers pushed for governments to play a more proactive role in the economy. More recently, countries had scaled back the size and function of government—with markets taking on an enhanced role in the allocation of goods and services—but when the global financial crisis threatened worldwide Recession, many countries returned to a more active fiscal policy.

    How does fiscal policy work?

    When policymakers seek to influence the economy, they have two main tools at their disposal—monetary policy and fiscal policy. Central banks indirectly target activity by influencing the money supply through adjustments to interest rates, bank reserve requirements, and the purchase and sale of Government Securities and foreign exchange. Governments influence the economy by changing the level and Types of Taxes, the extent and composition of spending, and the degree and form of borrowing.

    Deficit financing, practice in which a government spends more money than it receives as revenue, the difference being made up by borrowing or minting new funds.

    Fiscal consolidation is a term that is used to describe the creation of strategies that are aimed at minimizing deficits while also curtailing the accumulation of more debt. The term is most commonly employed when referring to efforts of a local or national government to lower the level of debt carried by the jurisdiction, but can also be applied to the efforts of businesses or even households to reduce debt while simultaneously limiting the generation of new debt obligations. From this perspective, the goal of fiscal consolidation in any setting is to improve financial stability by creating a more desirable financial position.

    The public debt is defined as how much a country owes to lenders outside of itself. These can include individuals, businesses and even other governments.public debt is the accumulation of annual budget deficits. It’s the result of years of government leaders spending more than they take in via tax revenues.

Export Import (EXIM) Policy  of India  

Export Import Policy or  Exim Policy or Foreign Trade Policy is a set of guidelines and instructions related to the import and export of goods.

Various Objectives of Exim Policy are :-

  • To facilitate sustained growth in exports from India and import in India.
  • To stimulate sustained economic growth by providing access to essential raw materials, intermediates, components, consumables and capital goods scheme required for augmenting production and providing services.
  • To enhance the technological strength and efficiency of Industry Agriculture industry and services, thereby improving their competitive strength while generating new employment opportunities, and to encourage the attainment of internationally accepted standards of quality.
  • To provide clients with high-quality goods and services at globally competitive rates. Canalization is an important feature of Exim Policy under which certain goods can be imported only by designated agencies. For an example, an item like gold, in bulk, can be imported only by specified banks like SBI and some foreign banks or designated agencies.

The new five year Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020 provides a framework for increasing exports of goods and services as well as generation of employment and increasing value addition in the country, in keeping with the “Make in India” vision of our Hon’blc Prime Minister. The focus of the government is to support both the manufacturing and services sectors, with a special emphasis on improving the ‘ease of doing business’.

Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS):-To offset infrastructural inefficiencies and the associated costs of exporting products produced in India giving special emphasis on those which are of India’s export interest and have the capability to generate employment and enhance India’s competitiveness in the world market.With the aim in making India’s products more competitive in the global markets, the scheme provides incentive in the form of duty credit scrip to the exporter to compensate for his loss on payment of duties.

Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) :-Service Provider of eligible services shall be entitled to Duty Credit Scrips at notified rates.

Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme allows import of capital goods including spares for pre production, production and post production at zero duty.

Other Specific steps taken for the developement of international trade are:-

 

  • Trade Facilitation & Ease Of Doing Business
  • DGFT as a facilitator of exports/imports
  • Niryat Bandhu – Hand Holding Scheme for new export / import entrepreneurs
  • Online Complaint Registration and Citizen’s Charter
  • Monitoring System
  • Issue of e-IEC (Electronic-Importer Exporter Code)
  • e-BRC
  • MoU with State Governments for sharing of e-BRC data
  • Exporter Importer Profile
  • Reduction in mandatory documents required for Export and Import
  • Online Inter-ministerial consultation
  • Facility of online filing of applications
  • Facility to upload documents by Chartered Accountant / Company Secretary / Cost Accountant
  • Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
  • Message Exchange with Community partners
    (a) Message Exchange with Customs
    (b) Message Exchange with eBiz
    (c) Message Exchange with Banks
    (d) Message Exchange with EPCs
  • Encouraging development of Third Party API
  • Forthcoming e-Governance Initiatives
  • Free passage of Export consignment
  •  No seizure of export related Stock
  • 24 X 7 Customs clearance
  • Single Window in Customs
  • Self-Assessment of Customs Duty
  • Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme
  • Prior filing facility for Shipping Bills
  • Cutting down delay in filing of Export General Manifest (EGM) for duty drawback
  • Facility of Common Bond / LUT against authorizations issued under different EP Schemes
  • Exemption from Service Tax on Services received abroad
  • Export of perishable agricultural Products
  • Time Release Study (TRS)
  • Towns of Export Excellence (TEE)