Issue of Banking Licence to Corporate Sector

Dr.T.V.Gopalakrishnan (Fort worth, Texas.)
25 Aug, 2011 09:00 AMThe editorial is very apt and to the point. The Governor's concern on the issue of banking Licences to corporates is genuine and justifiable. As it is, the banking sysytem in India is fairly sound, healthy and competitive. Ownershipwise, banks are reasonably well distributed and owned by government, public and private sector, private sector and Cooperative sector and their working has been by and large satisfactory catering to all segments of the economy. In case corporate sector steps in, it may distort the functioning and the present laws will not be adequate to regulate it effectively. Besides, in case Corpo rate sector enters the field,Financial inclusion which has not taken off well in the absence of active involvement of private sector,will become a major casuaty and agricultural sector will continue to suffer further. Tax payers money will have to come to the rescue of many segments if corporates enter banking . Prevention is better than cure should be the approach. Hope wisdom will prevail. The Govt cannot afford to ignore the lessons from past history of banking in the 1960s and the compulsions for nationalisation of banks in !969 and 1980. Let us not experiment again by allowing corporates to set up banking.

(This appeared in ET,dated 25/08/11)