Sudden reduction of CRR , a boon for bankers in time of crisis , may prove curse for poor in coming years - A Contra View

by

Danendra Jain dkjain49709@gmail.com

Another suicidal attempt is undertaken by Government of India and RBI to provide shield to corrupt bankers who damaged intrinsic value of banks during last two decades of reformation.


In the name of adventure in credit growth banks had followed the path of misadventure both in credit growth and in branch expansion and consequences are now surfacing. It is true that such relaxation will for the time being provide ventilator to sick economy of the country and critical position of banks. Private banks will at least gain by this liberal attitude of the government.But it is not permanent solution to cure the ailing economy.


Government reduced SLR to 24% and has now CRR to 4.75% to increase profitability of banks who have lost their interest income in bad assets accumulated and concealed in the system.


RBI is releasing cash called as liquidity which was hitherto kept with RBI as safety valve. SLR has been decreased from 40% to 24% during last few years to ensure credit growth and CRR has been reduced to 4.75% to increase liquidity in the banking system and in turn increase credit growth. Still there is no hope of improvement. Let us see what happens in future.


It is true that banks will be in a position to sanction more and more loans but as long as repayment of loan is not ensured, problem of liquidity crisis will undoubtedly recur again and again and assume critical proportion in near future. As a matter of fact it is unregulated credit growth undertaken by inefficient and ill motivated bankers which has resulted in increase in bad assets and erosion in profitability.


Government use SLR and CRR to contain inflation and to restrict money supply. It is unfortunate that instead of striking at the root of crisis in banks, RBI is willingly or unwillingly adding fuel to fire. How much relief will RBI provide by these temporary measures, God only knows but it is certain that consequence of bad policies and inefficient management of SLR and CRR will have to be borne by none other than investors and depositors?


Chandra Sekhar during his period of Prime Minister in India sold gold to control the economy, present government is providing stimulus package by way of reduction in SLR and CRR or by resorting to sell of government assets in the name of disinvestment. Undoubtedly such stimulus packages will help rich to grow richer and force poor to become poorer. Rice will get loan at lower rates and poor will be thrown in the hands of Micro finance Institute who are another form of moneylenders and extortionist as well as exploiters for poor villagers.


Time will say whether the remedy provided will add to the agony of economy or provide relief to sick economy.


I however feel it is investors and depositors who will ultimately suffer the loss. I apprehend poor will have to bear the burden of increase in taxes and curtailment in subsidies and there is very less probability of poor getting any benefit through reduction in SLR or CRR or through disinvestment of public sector undertakings.


Let us wait forthcoming budget and credit policy of RBI likely to be announced in next week of March this year. AT least stock market will celebrate this sudden announcement and sudden relaxation in CRR by RBI without waiting for even forthcoming proposed credit policy announcement.


However taking a positive approach we should expect better days for public sector banks, depositors and investors.


dubti naiya ko bachane ke liye sara dam laga rahi hai sarkar. Ya ye kah sakte hai, Gau Markar Juta Dan kar rahi hai ye sarkar.

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