The banking sector reforms in India were started as a follow up measures of the economic liberalization and financial sector reforms in the country. The banking sector being the life line of the economy was treated with utmost importance in the financial sector reforms. The reforms were aimed at to make the Indian banking industry more competitive, versatile, efficient, productive, to follow international accounting standard and to free from the government’s control. The reforms in the banking industry started in the early 1990s have been continued till now. The Narasimham Committee laid the foundation for the reformation of the Indian banking sector. Constituted in 1991, the Committee submitted two reports, in 1992 and 1998, which laid significant thrust on enhancing the efficiency and viability of the banking sector. The purpose of the Narasimham Committee I was to study all aspects relating to the structure, organization, functions and procedures of the Continue reading
Indian Financial System
Article on Indian Stock Market Scam: “The Ketan Parekh scam was an example of the inherently weak financial, regulatory and legal set up in India.”
Ketan Parekh is a Mumbai based share and stock broker. He is from a well to do share-brokerage based family. He was involved in the shares scam of the year 2000/01. The study by SEBI found that the flow of funds originating from Ketan Parekh, when paired with securities market transactions of connected clients leads to the possibility that these trades were executed to confuse the funds trail and to integrate the money originating from the banned stock broker into the system of banking. Ketan’s possible involvement was found by SEBI during its investigation into professed manipulative trading in the scripts of Cals Refineries Limited, Confidence Petroleum India Limited, Bang Overseas Limited, Shree Precoated Steels Limited and Temptation Foods Limited. Earlier, SEBI had Ketan and 17 other entities from participating in the market following a study into purchase sale and dealing in the shares of companies like HFCL, Zee Telefilms, Continue reading
An Overview of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)
The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act of 1973 (FERA) in India was repealed on 1st June, 2000. It was replaced by the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), which was passed in the winter session of Parliament in 1999. Enacted in 1973, in the backdrop of acute shortage of Foreign Exchange in the country, FERA had a controversial 27 year stint during which many bosses of the Indian Corporate world found themselves at the mercy of the Enforcement Directorate (E.D.). Any offense under FERA was a criminal offense liable to imprisonment, whereas FEMA seeks to make offenses relating to foreign exchange civil offenses. FEMA, which has replaced FERA, had become the need of the hour since FERA had become incompatible with the pro-liberalization policies of the Government of India. FEMA has brought a new management regime of Foreign Exchange consistent with the emerging frame work of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It Continue reading
Role of Financial Institutions in Economic Development
Financial institutions form the backbone of a modern economy, serving as crucial intermediaries that facilitate the flow of money and capital. By mobilizing savings, providing credit, and offering a spectrum of financial services, these institutions contribute to economic growth and development. Financial institutions provide means and mechanism of transferring resources from those who have an excess of income over expenditure to those who can make productive use of the same. The commercial banks and investment institutions mobilize savings of people and channel them into productive uses. Financial institutions provide all type of assistance required for economic development in the following ways. 1. Providing Funds The underdeveloped countries have low levels of capital formation. Due to low incomes, people are not able to save sufficient funds which are needed for sensing up new units and also for expansion, diversification and modernization of existing units. The persons who have the capability of starting Continue reading
Indian banking system: Development banks: Small scale Industrial Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
The Small scale Industrial Development Bank of India (SIDBI) was set up in October 1989 under the Act of parliament as a wholly owned subsidiary of the IDBI. It is the central or apex or principal institution which oversees, co-ordinates and further strengthens various arrangements for providing financial and non-financial assistance to small-scale, tiny, and cottage industries. SIDBI objectives are: To initiate steps for technological up gradation and modernization of existing units To expand channels for marketing of SSI sector products in India and abroad To promote employment-oriented industries in semi-urban areas and to check migration of population to big cities. It operates two funds: Small Industries Development Fund and Small Industries Development Assistance Fund. The operation of the former and of National Equity Fund which were earlier looked by IDBI is now handled by the SIDBI. Its financial assistance is channeled through the existing credit delivery system comprising NSIC, Continue reading
Major Participants in Foreign Exchange Market (Forex Market)
Participants in Forex Market The participants in the foreign exchange market comprise; Corporates Commercial banks Exchange brokers Central banks Corporates: The business houses, international investors, and multinational corporations may operate in the market to meet their genuine trade or investment requirements. They may also buy or sell currencies with a view to speculate or trade in currencies to the extent permitted by the exchange control regulations. They operate by placing orders with the commercial banks. The deals between banks and their clients form the retail segment of foreign exchange market. In India the Foreign Exchange Management (Possession and Retention of Foreign Currency) Regulations, 2000 permits retention, by resident, of foreign currency up to USD 2,000. Foreign Currency Management (Realization, Repatriation and Surrender of Foreign Exchange) Regulations, 2000 requires a resident in India who receives foreign exchange to surrender it to an authorized dealer: Within seven days of receipt in case Continue reading