The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated November 27, 2023, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹2.00 lakh (Rupees Two lakh only) on The Lakhvad Nagarik Sahakari Bank Ltd., Lakhvad, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat (the bank) for non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on ‘Loans and advances to directors, relatives and firms/concerns in which they are interested’ read with ‘Loans and Advances to directors etc. - directors as surety/guarantors – Clarification’, and ‘Placement of Deposits with Other Banks by Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs)’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of section 47 A (1) (c) read with sections 46 (4) (i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.

Background

The statutory inspection of the bank conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2022, and examination of the Inspection Report, Risk Assessment Report and all correspondence related thereto revealed, inter alia, that the bank had (i) sanctioned a loan to the relative of one of its directors and also sanctioned certain loans wherein the relatives of its directors stood as guarantors; and (ii) breached the prudential inter-bank gross exposure limit as well as the prudential inter-bank counterparty exposure limit. Consequently, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions, as stated therein.

After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made by it during the personal hearing, RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with the aforesaid RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty on the bank.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2023-2024/1502