RBI issues direction on Treatment of Wilful Defaulters (WD) and Large Defaulters | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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RBI issues direction on Treatment of Wilful Defaulters (WD) and Large Defaulters

Posted 31 Jul 2024

2 min read

The directions have been issued under Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.

  • The objective of direction is to provide for a non-discriminatory and transparent procedure for classifying a borrower as a wilful defaulter by the lenders.
    • As of March 2023, 16,883 accounts involving total borrowing of Rs 3.5 lakh crore had been classified as wilful defaulters. 

Key Provisions of the Direction

  • Wilful Defaulter: wilful default with outstanding amount of ₹25 lakh and above
    • Wilful default occurs when borrower defaults in meeting payment/ repayment obligations to the lender and any one or more features are noticed
      • borrower has the capacity to pay
      • diversion of funds and siphoned off the funds, 
      • disposal of immovable or movable assets provided for securing credit or 
      • failure to infuse equity despite having the ability to do so.
  • Large defaulter: default with an outstanding amount of ₹1 crore and above, and where suit has been filed  or whose account has been classified as doubtful or loss.
  • Identification: Lenders have to establish Identification Committee to examine the evidence of wilful default. 

Measures to be Taken

  • Initiation of Criminal proceedings by the lenders
  • Penal: 
    • No additional credit facility by any lender to WD or associated entities
    • No credit facility by any lender for new ventures
    • Not eligible for restructuring of credit facility 
  • Preventive Measures: Proper credit appraisal, monitoring end use of funds
  • Tags :
  • Willful defaulter
  • Large Defaulters
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