The Hindu Business Line : A mature financial sector

To date, the Government has injected Rs 16,809 crore into nationalised banks. Adding the perpetual securities issued earlier, the total net capital support stands at Rs 22,808 crore. Thanks to the capital support, a sound banking sector meeting international norms has emerged.

More money to lend

We have reached a stage when we can wind up the special arrangements between the Government and the banks. Accordingly, after consulting the RBI, I propose to unwind the special securities through conversion of these non-tradable special securities into tradable, SLR Government of India dated securities. This will facilitate increased access of the banks to additional resources for lending to the productive sectors in the light of the increasing credit needs of the economy.

Honourable Members are aware that the K.P. Narasimhan Committee was appointed to recommend a comprehensive law on insurance. The report of the committee has been received, and is being examined by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and the Government. I intend to introduce a comprehensive Bill on insurance in 2006-07. Important Bills to amend the banking laws and for setting up the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority are before the Parliament. The Standing Committee on Finance has recommended these Bills. I would urge Honourable Members to cooperate with the Government and pass these Bills.

Liberal FII norms

In recent months, the capital market has attracted a great deal of attention. The measures taken in the last year-and-a-half have deepened, broadened and strengthened the market. It is necessary to take more measures. Hence, I propose to

Increase the limit on FII investment in Government securities from $ 1.75 billion to $ 2 billion and the limit on FII investment in corporate debt from $ 0.5 billion to $ 1.5 billion;

To raise the ceiling on aggregate investment by mutual funds in overseas instruments from $ 1 billion to $ 2 billion and to remove the requirement of 10 per cent reciprocal share holding;

To allow a limited number of qualified Indian mutual funds to invest, cumulatively up to $ 1 billion, in overseas exchange traded funds; and

To set up an investor protection fund under the aegis of SEBI, funded by fines and penalties recovered by SEBI. This will bolster confidence among retail investors who should be the key drivers of the capital market.

Consultations have been held in this behalf with the RBI and SEBI, who will issue the guidelines in due course.

Deepening debt market

The RBI had introduced the anonymous electronic order matching trading module called NDS-OM on its negotiated dealing system. In the first phase, RBI-regulated entities, banks and primary dealers were allowed to trade on the system. The system has now been extended to all insurance entities. In view of the encouraging response of market participants and to further deepen the Government securities market, it is proposed to extend access to qualified mutual funds, provident funds and pension funds.

More Stories on : Budget | Financial Markets

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Short-term credit at 7 pc — Farmers to get from kharif season

Registrars, share transfer agents under service tax ambit — `12% levy is bad news for AMCs'

Bank deposits to get 80C deduction — Recapitalisation bonds to be converted into tradable securities

A mature financial sector

A draft of demands

Banks to cut lending rates on farm loans

Superannuation scheme to regain favour

Bankers hail move on recap bonds

IDFC adversely affected

NBFC granted audience

Ideal for long-term investor

Cartoon