Supreme Court Ask For an Update on Financial Restructuring from Finance Ministry & RBI

The Supreme Court sought response from the Centre and the RBI with respect to various sectors which require financial restructuring in the wave of the Covid crisis.

A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan and comprising Justices R. Subhash Reddy and M.R. Shah said: "The Government of India, as well as Reserve Bank of India, in the additional affidavit, may also give their response with regard to different sectors grievances highlighted by different writ petitioners in the intervention applications."

The top court also sought clarification on recommendations made by the K.V. Kamath Committee on financial parameters to be factored in the resolution plans under the 'Resolution Framework for Covid-19-related Stress' along with sector specific benchmark ranges for such parameters. The Committee has recommended financial ratios for 26 sectors which could be factored by lending institutions while finalising a resolution plan for a borrower.

"It is further submitted that whatever recommendations made by the Kamath Committee, they are to be considered by the Central government as well as by the Reserve Bank of India and necessary orders to be issued to implement those recommendations, which are accepted, so that benefit of which accrue from the said report and the report may percolate to all the needy persons," noted the bench.

The top court noted the Committee's report has not been brought on record so far.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, and senior advocate V. Giri, representing the RBI, submitted that the report shall be brought on the record along with the additional affidavit.

The court said: "It is also submitted that no resolution as well as policy decision, by the individual banks, have been brought on the record as to what manner the various decisions taken by the Central Government and the Reserve Bank of India will be implemented."

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the Indian Bank Association, sought a short time to deal with the issues raised and bring on record the individual policy decisions of each bank with regard to implementation of various directions issued by Centre and the RBI.

The top court observed the affidavit filed by the Centre, mentioning the waiver of interest-on-interest on loans up to Rs 2 crore in eight categories does not give details sought by court order on September 10. It also noted that no consequential notification, circulars have been issued either by the RBI or by the Centre, to implement the waiver of interest-on-interest scheme.

The Centre, in an affidavit, informed the Supreme Court that it has taken a decision to waive "interest on interest" on loans up to Rs 2 crore during the six-month moratorium period.

The affidavit said the only solution is that the government should bear the burden resulting from waiver of compound interest.

"After careful consideration and weighing all possible options, the respondent Union of India has decided to continue the tradition of hand-holding the small borrowers," said the Centre.

The categories of loans up to Rs 2 crore include: MSME loans, education loans, housing loans, consumer durable loans, credit card dues, auto loans, personal loans to professional and consumption loans.