Measures to Solve the Problems of Non-Performing Assets NPA

Measures to Solve Problems of NPA

The problems of NPA have been receiving greater attention since 1991 in India. The Narasimham Committee recommended a number of steps to reduce NPA. In the 1990's the Government of India (GOI) introduced a number of reforms to deals with the problems of NPA.

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Major steps taken to solve the problems of Non-Performing Assets in India :-

1. Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs)

Narasimham Committee Report I (1991) recommended the setting up of Special Tribunals to reduce the time required for settling cases. Accepting the recommendations, Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) were established. There are 22 DRTs and 5 Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals. This is insufficient to solve the problem all over the country (India).

2. Securitisation Act 2002

Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act 2002 is popularly known as Securitisation Act. This act enables the banks to issue notices to defaulters who have to pay the debts within 60 days. Once the notice is issued the borrower cannot sell or dispose the assets without the consent of the lender. The Securitisation Act further empowers the banks to take over the possession of the assets and management of the company. The lenders can recover the dues by selling the assets or changing the management of the firm. The Act also enables the establishment of Asset Reconstruction Companies for acquiring NPA. According to the provisions of the Act, Asset Reconstruction Company of India Ltd. with eight shareholders and an initial capital of Rs. 10 crores has been set up. The eight shareholders are HDFC, HDFC Bank, IDBI, IDBI Bank, SBI, ICICI, Federal Bank and South Indian Bank.

3. Lok Adalats

Lok Adalats have been found suitable for the recovery of small loans. According to RBI guidelines issued in 2001. They cover NPA up to Rs. 5 lakhs, both suit filed and non-suit filed are covered. Lok Adalats avoid the legal process. The Public Sector Banks had recovered Rs. 40 Crores by September 2001.

4. Compromise Settlement

Compromise Settlement Scheme provides a simple mechanism for recovery of NPA. Compromise Settlement Scheme is applied to advances below Rs. 10 Crores. It covers suit filed cases and cases pending with courts and DRTs (Debt Recovery Tribunals). Cases of Willful default and fraud were excluded.

5. Credit Information Bureau

A good information system is required to prevent loans from turning into a NPA. If a borrower is a defaulter to one bank, this information should be available to all banks so that they may avoid lending to him. A Credit Information Bureau can help by maintaining a data bank which can be assessed by all lending institutions.