The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated December 07, 2023, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹10.54 lakh (Rupees Ten lakh fifty four thousand only) on Berar Finance Limited, Nagpur (the company), for non-compliance with certain provisions of the Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer (KYC)) Directions, 2016. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 58 G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of section 58 B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

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

Background

The statutory inspection of the company was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2022 and examination of the Risk Assessment Report, Inspection Report, Supervisory Letter and all related correspondence pertaining to the same revealed, inter alia, that the company did not (i) put in place a system of periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts, and (ii) put in to use any robust software for effective identification and reporting of suspicious transactions. Consequently, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the RBI directions, as stated therein.

After considering the company’s reply to the notice, additional submissions made by it and oral submission made 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.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2023-2024/1452