Goyal promises help to 11 PSBs under RBI watchlist

Under the PCA, banks face restrictions on distributing dividends and remitting profits. The owner may be asked to infuse capital into the lender. Besides, the lenders are stopped from expanding their branch networks and need to maintain higher provisions. 

Management compensation and directors’ fees are also capped. Goyal, who was earlier this week given temporary charge of the finance ministry until Arun Jaitley recovers after undergoing a kidney transplant, met heads of the 11 public sector banks here today. 

“Over the next few days we will ensure that the central government gives every possible support to further strengthen the resolve of these banks to come out of PCA framework as quickly as is possible,” Goyal told reporters after the meeting. 

The 11 banks under PCA are Dena Bank, Allahabad Bank, United Bank of India, Corporation Bank, IDBI Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and Bank of Maharashtra. 

Goyal said the meeting was “very useful” to understand what has transpired over the last 12-13 years in the banking system. “The 11 banks were represented at the highest level. Every one of the bankers spoke of solutions going beyond history...They are going to work through the day and meet me again late in the evening to prepare the action agenda on a case by case basis,” he said. 

Earlier in the day, Goyal said he would endeavour to quickly put on track the banking sector, which has been marred by scandals and bad debts that threaten to have repercussions for the broader economy. 

“We will ensure very orderly growth of the industry and highest levels of probity and accountability that is expected of public sector banks,” he said before meeting the bank heads. Goyal, considered a close associate of Jaitley, has not made a big show of getting additional charge of the finance ministry and largely operates from Rail Bhawan. Jaitley, he said, was “recovering very well”. 

“Yesterday I had an occasion to talk to him and take his guidance. He has given me some issues (which) I am following,” he said. Goyal, who is the minister of railways and coal, further said the priority is “to ensure that we can quickly get entire banking system on its feet and shed the legacy that was inherited by this government in 2014.” 

The legacy he referred to was apparently the indiscreet loans given under the previous UPA government. 

Many companies, especially in the power, steel and telecom sectors, have been unable to pay down their debts due to sectoral issues and slowing economy. To compound the problem, there has been a string of scandals that have come to light over the past couple of months, hurting the image of banks -- the heart of the economy.