Govt drops the controversial asset classification clause for quick implementation of JLA

31 Jan 2013 Evaluate

The government, in order to implement the joint lending mechanism at the earliest, reportedly has decided to drop controversial clause of treating a borrower's accounts with all banks as non-performing if the accountholder defaults on payment to one bank. According to the proposal, in case a loan becomes non-performing for one bank, all the member banks of the consortium would classify the loan as a non-performing asset (NPA).

The banks will now follow the existing regulatory prescription of RBI in the case. As per the Reserve Bank's guidelines, if a borrower's account turns non-performing with one bank, it does not affect the status of the borrower's accounts with other lenders.

Under joint lending agreement (JLA), state-run banks will lend in a consortium to borrowers seeking credit over Rs 150 crore by way of a term loan, working capital and non-fund-based facilities. However, it will be mandatory for banks to bring all exposures of a borrower under the JLA within six months of its implementation.

The government hopes that this arrangement, designed to insulate state-run banks from sticky loans, will stop borrowers from seeking multiple loans from different banks against inadequate collaterals.

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