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Situation will improve from next year, bad-debt banks tell parliamentary panel
New Delhi, June 26 (IANS) Representatives from the 11 public sector banks, which are under RBI scanner for mounting bad loans on Tuesday, assured a parliamentary panel that “things would start looking up from next year” and by 2020, they would be able to come out of the austerity regime imposed by the central bank on them, sources said.
The Parliamentary Committee on Finance headed by senior Congress leader M. Verappa Moily in its meeting held on Tuesday heard out 11 banks — IDBI Bank, Allahabad Bank, Bank of India, Oriental Bank of Commerce, UCO Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Dena Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, United Bank of India and Corporation Bank.
The Committee is looking into ‘Banking Sector in India- Issues, Challenges and the Way Forward, including Non-Performing Assets/Stressed Assets in Banks/Financial Institutions’.
Senior representatives from these banks also answered the queries of the committee.
One of the concerns discussed during the meeting was the “stagnation” in the lending process as these banks “are not able to lend money”, resulting in “no income” to them, according to sources.
It also emerged that there was a “lot of fear” among the bankers of institutions like the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) etc and bank officials are shunning action.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework on banks reeling under bad-debt under which banks face restrictions on distributing dividends and remitting profits.
Besides, there are restrictions on expanding their branch networks and remuneration of directors.
Since the banks have to comply with the Basel III international norms on capital adequacy and make provision for non-performing assets, it too has constricted lending space.
The total NPAs have touched around nine lakh crore rupees or 10.11 per cent of total advances at December-end 2017.
The parliamentary panel also desires that RBI Governor Urjit Patel should appear before it “at least twice a year if not more” to brief the Committee on the state of economy, a source said.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.