The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which just got its new governor- Raghuram Rajan, is now gearing up for setting a high-level panel of eminent experts from the banking and financial sector to screen applications of 26 aspirants for new banking licences.
It is expected that financial regulators like IIRDA, SEBI and PFRDA could represent this committee. While, some top officials from the government too may be invited to join the High Level Advisory Committee (HLAC). India’s Apex bank currently is screening the prima facie eligibility of the applicants including ‘fit and proper’ criteria and other relevant parameters.
However, RBI will have first and final say on selecting the applicants. Given that application will first be screened by RBI, post to which it shall be referred to the high level panel for the scrutiny. The panel will have its own procedures for screening the applications. It will reserve the right to call for more information as well as have discussions with any applicants and seek clarification on any issue as may be required by it. However, post the scrutiny the committee will submit its recommendations to RBI, who will take a final decision on issue of an in-principle approval for setting up of a bank.
Tata Sons along with firms controlled by billionaires Anil Ambani and Kumar Mangalam Birla are among the 26 companies who have applied for banking licence last month. Among public sector entities, India Post and IFCI have submitted applications. Micro finance institutions like Bandhan Financial Services, Janalakshmi Financial too expressed their intention to set up a bank.
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