1.

AGRICULTURE

1.1

Direct Finance to Farmers for Agricultural Purposes

1.1.1

Short-term loans for raising crops i.e. for crop loans. In addition, advances upto Rs. 5 lakh to farmers against pledge/hypothecation of agricultural produce (including warehouse receipts) for a period not exceeding 12 months, where the farmers were given crop loans for raising the produce, provided the borrowers draw credit from one bank.

1.1.2

Medium and long-term loans (Provided directly to farmers for financing production and development needs).

(i)

Purchase of agricultural implements and machinery

(a)

Purchase of agricultural implements - Iron ploughs, harrows, hose, land-levellers, bundformers, hand tools, sprayers, dusters, hay-press, sugarcane crushers, thresher machines, etc.

(b)

Purchase of farm machinery - Tractors, trailers, power tillers, tractor accessories viz., disc ploughs, etc.

(c)

Purchase of trucks, mini-trucks, jeeps, pick-up vans, bullock carts and other transport equipment, etc. to assist the transport of agricultural inputs and farm products.

(d)

Transport of agricultural inputs and farm products.

(e)

Purchase of plough animals.

(ii)

Development of irrigation potential through -

(a)

Construction of shallow and deep tube wells, tanks, etc., and purchase of drilling units.

(b)

Constructing, deepening clearing of surface wells, boring of wells, electrification of wells, purchase of oil engines and installation of electric motor and pumps.

(c)

Purchase and installation of turbine pumps, construction of field channels (open as well as underground), etc.

(d)

Construction of lift irrigation project.

(e)

Installation of sprinkler irrigation system.

(f)

Purchase of generator sets for energisation of pumpsets used for agricultural purposes.

(iii)

Reclamation and Land Development Schemes

Bunding of farm lands, levelling of land, terracing, conversion of dry paddy lands into wet irrigable paddy lands, wasteland development, development of farm drainage, reclamation of soil lands and prevention of salinisation, reclamation of ravine lands, purchase of bulldozers, etc.

(iv)

Construction of farm buildings and structures, etc.

Bullock sheds, implement sheds, tractor and truck sheds, farm stores, etc.

(v)

Construction and running of storage facilities

Construction and running of warehouses, godowns, silos and loans granted to farmer for establishing cold storages used for storing own produce.

(vi)

Production and processing of hybrid seeds for crops.

(vii)

Payment of irrigation charges, etc.

Charges for hired water from wells and tube wells, canal water charges, maintenance and upkeep of oil engines and electric motors, payment of labour charges, electricity charges, marketing charges, service charges to Customs Service Units, payment of development cess, etc.

(viii)

Other types of direct finance to farmers

(a)

Short-term loans

(1)

To traditional/non-traditional plantations and horticulture.

(2)

For allied activities such as dairy, fishery, piggery, poultry, bee-keeping etc.

(b)

Medium and long term loans

(1)

Development loans to all plantations, horticulture, forestry and wasteland.

(2)

Development loans for allied activities

(3)

Development of dairying and animal husbandry in all its aspects.

(4)

Development of fisheries in all its aspects from fish catching to stage of export, financing of equipment necessary for deep sea fishing, rehabilitation of tanks (fresh water fishing), fish breeding, etc.

(5)

Development of poultry piggery, etc., in all its aspects including erection of poultry houses, pig houses, bee-keeping, etc.

(6)

Development and maintenance of stud farms, sericulture including grainages, etc. However, breeding of race horses cannot be classified here.

(7)

Bio-gas plants.

(8)

Financing of small and marginal farmers for purchase of land for agricultural purposes

(9)

Financing setting up Agriclinics and Agribusiness Centres by agriculture graduates

1.2

Indirect Finance to Agriculture

1.2.1

(i)

Credit for financing the distribution of fertilisers, pesticides, seeds, etc.

(ii)

Loans upto Rs. 25 lakhs granted for financing distribution of inputs for the allied activities such as, cattle feed, poultry feed, etc.

1.2.2

(i)

Loans to Electricity Boards for reimbursing the expenditure already incurred by them for providing low tension connection from step-down point to individual farmers for energising their wells.

(ii)

Loans to SEBs for Systems Improvement Scheme under Special Project Agriculture (SI-SPA).

1.2.3

Loans to farmers through PACS, FSS and LAMPS.

1.2.4

Deposits held by the banks in Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) maintained with NABARD.

1.2.5

Subscription to bonds issued by Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) exclusively for financing pump set energisation programme in rural and semi-urban areas and also for financing System Improvement Programme (SI-SPA).

1.2.6

Subscriptions to bonds issued by NABARD with the objective of financing exclusively agriculture/allied activities.

1.2.7

Other types of indirect finance such as,

(i)

Finance for hire-purchase schemes for distribution of agricultural machinery and implements.

(ii)

Loans for constructions and running of storage facilities (warehouse, market yards, godowns, silos and cold storages *) in the producing areas.

*

Loans to cold storage units which are mainly used for hiring, provided -

(a)

the cold storage unit is in the rural areas,

(b)

the unit is used for storing mainly agricultural produce, and

(c)

the unit is not registered as a small scale industrial unit. If the cold storage unit is registered as SSI unit, the loans granted to such units may be classified under advances to SSI, provided the investment in plant and machinery is within the stipulated ceiling.

(iii)

Advances to Customs Service Units managed by individuals, institutions or organisations who maintain a fleet of tractors, bulldozers, well-boring equipment, threshers, combines, etc., and undertake work from farmers on contract basis. If these advances are covered by the guarantee of DICGC, they should be classified under SSI advances.

(iv)

Loans to individuals, institutions or organisations who undertake spraying operations.

(v)

Loans to co-operative marketing societies, co-operative banks for re-lending to co-operative marketing societies (provided a certificate from the State Co-operative Bank in favour of such loans is produced) for disposing of the produce of members.

(vi)

Loans to co-operative banks of producers (e.g. Aarey Milk Colony Co-operative Bank, consisting of licensed cattle owners).

(vii)

Financing the farmers indirectly through the co-operative system (otherwise than by subscription to bonds and debenture issues), provided a certificate from the State Co-operative Bank in favour of such loans is produced.

(viii)

Advances to State-sponsored Corporations for onward lending to weaker sections.

(ix)

Finance extended to dealers in drip irrigation/sprinkler irrigation system/agricultural machinery, subject to the following conditions:

(a)

The dealer should be located in the rural/semi-urban areas.

(b)

He should be dealing exclusively in such items or if dealing in other products, should be maintaining separate and distinct records in respect of such items.

(c)

A ceiling of upto Rs. 20 lakhs per dealer should be observed.

(x)

Loans to National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) for on-lending to the co-operative sector for purposes coming under the priority sector.

(xi)

Loans to farmers for purchase of shares in Co-operative Sugar Mills and Sugar Mills set up as Joint Stock Companies and other agro-based processing units. (Maximum 6 shares of Rs 1000 each or 3 shares of Rs 2000 each, i.e., Rs 6000 per eligible borrower irrespective of their land holding)

(xii)

Loans to Arthias (commission agents in rural/semi-urban areas functioning in markets/mandies) for meeting their working capital requirements on account of credit extended to farmers for supply of inputs.

(xiii)

Lending to Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) for on-lending to agriculture.

2

Small Scale Industries

2.1.

Small Scale and Ancillary Industries

Small scale industrial units are those engaged in the manufacture, processing or preservation of goods and whose investment in plant and machinery (original cost) does not exceed Rs. 1 crore. These would, inter alia, include units engaged in mining or quarrying, servicing and repairing of machinery. In the case of ancillary units, the investment in plant and machinery (original cost) should also not exceed Rs. 1 crore to be classified under small-scale industry.

The investment limit of Rs.1 crore for classification as SSI has been enhanced to Rs.5 crore in respect of certain specified items under hosiery and hand tools by the Government of India

2.2

Tiny Enterprises

The status of ‘Tiny Enterprises’ may be given to all small scale units whose investment in plant & machinery is upto Rs. 25 lakhs, irrespective of the location of the unit.

2.3

Small Scale Service & Business Enterprises (SSSBE’s)

2.3.1

Industry related service and business enterprises with investment upto Rs. 10 lakhs in fixed assets, excluding land and building will be given benefits of small scale sector. For computation of value of fixed assets, the original price paid by the original owner will be considered irrespective of the price paid by subsequent owners.

2.3.2

An illustrative list of eligible activities as SSSBE’s and the illustrative list of activities that will not qualify as SSSBE is given in Annexures 1 & II respectively

2.4

Indirect finance in the small-scale industrial sector will include credit to:

2.4.1

Agencies involved in assisting the decentralised sector in the supply of inputs and marketing of outputs of artisans, village and cottage industries.

2.4.2

Government sponsored Corporation/organisations providing funds to the weaker sections in the priority sector.

2.4.3

Advances to handloom co-operatives.

2.4.4

Term finance/loans in the form of lines of credit made available to State Industrial Development Corporation/State Financial Corporations for financing SSIs.

2.4.5

Credit provided by banks to KVIC under the scheme for provision of credit to KVIC by consortium of banks for lending to viable Khadi and Village Industrial Units.

2.4.6

Funds provided by banks to SIDBI/SFCs by way of rediscounting of bills of SSI earlier discounted by the SIDBI/SFCs.

2.4.7

Subscription to bonds floated by SIDBI, SFCS, SIDCS and NSIC exclusively for financing SSI units.

2.4.8

Subscription to bonds issued by NABARD with the objective of financing exclusively non-farm sector.

2.4.9

Financing of NBFCs or other intermediaries for on-lending to the tiny sector.

2.4.10

Deposits placed with SIDBI by Foreign Banks in fulfilment of shortfall in attaining priority sector targets.

2.4.11

Bank finance to HUDCO either as a line of credit or by way of investment in special bonds issued by HUDCO for on-lending to artisans, handloom weavers, etc. under tiny sector may be treated as indirect lending to SSI (Tiny) Sector.

2.5

Industrial Estates

Loans for setting up industrial estates.

2.6

KVI Sector

All advances to KVI sector, irrespective of their size of operations, location and investment in plant and machinery, will be covered under priority sector advances and will also be eligible for consideration under the sub-target (60 percent) of the SSI segment within the priority sector.

2.7

Manufacture of common salt through any process including manual operation (involving solar evaporation) may be considered as an industrial activity and credit provided by banks to units engaged in the manufacture of common salt which satisfy the norms of SSI unit may be classified under advances to SSI.

2.8

Units engaged in ship breaking/dismantling are composite ones which also undertake the processing of scrap thus obtained and hence the entire activity can be covered under processing. Therefore, all small scale industrial units with original cost of plant and machinery not exceeding Rs. 1 crore and engaged in ship breaking/dismantling activity may be considered as small scale industrial undertaking and bank advances to such units reckoned as priority sector advances.

2.9

Bank loans to bought leaf factories manufacturing tea are to be reckoned as priority sector lending to small scale industry, provided the investment in plant and machinery (original cost) does not exceed the prescribed limits.

2.10

Water mills (Gharat) has been recognised as an industrial activity and shall be eligible for registration as small scale industry.

3

OTHER ACTIVITIES/ BORROWERS IN THE priority sector

3.1

Small road & Water Transport Operators (SRWTO)

3.1.2

Advances to small road and water transport operators owning a fleet of vehicles not exceeding ten vehicles, including the one proposed to be financed.

3.1.2

Advances to NBFCs for on-lending to truck operators and SRWTOs other than truck operators satisfying the eligibility criteria. Also, portfolio purchases (purchases of hire purchase receivables) from NBFCs made after 31 July 1998 would also qualify for inclusion under priority sector lending, provided the portfolio purchases relate to SRWTOs satisfying priority sector norms.

3.2

Retail Trade

Advances granted to

3.2.1

retail traders dealing in essential commodities (fair price shops) and consumer co-operative stores, and

3.2.2

private retail traders with credit limits not exceeding Rs. 10 lakhs.

(Retail traders in fertilisers will form part of indirect finance for agriculture and those to retail traders of mineral oils under small business).

3.3

Small Business

Small Business would include individuals and firms managing a business enterprise established mainly for the purpose of providing any service other than professional services whose original cost price of the equipment used for the purpose of business does not exceed Rs. 20 lakhs. Banks are free to fix individual limits for working capital depending upon the requirements of different activities.

Advances for acquisition, construction, renovation of house-boats and other tourist accommodation will be included here. Distribution of mineral oils shall be included under 'small business.' Advances to judicial stamp vendors and lottery ticket agents may also be classified under this category.

3.4

Professional & Self-Employed Persons

3.4.1

Loans to professional and self-employed persons include loans for the purpose of purchasing equipment, repairing or renovating existing equipment and/or acquiring and repairing business premises or for purchasing tools and/or for working capital requirements to medical practitioners including Dentists, Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants, Practising Company Secretary, Lawyers or Solicitors, Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, Construction contractors or Management Consultants or to a person trained in any other art or craft who holds either a degree or diploma from any institutions established, aided, or recognised by Government or to a person who is considered by the bank as technically qualified or skilled in the field in which he is employed. The undernoted specific categories of advances will also be eligible for classification under this item:

3.4.2

Advances to accredited Journalists and Cameramen who are freelancers, i.e., not employed by a particular newspaper/magazine for acquisition of equipment by such borrowers for their professional use.

3.4.3

Credits for the purpose of purchasing equipment, acquisition of premises (strictly for business) and tools to practising company secretaries who are not in the regular employment of any employer.

3.4.4

Financial assistance for running 'Health Centre' by an individual who is not a doctor, but has received some formal training about the use of various instruments of physical exercises.

3.4.5

Advances for setting up beauty parlours where the borrower holds qualification in the particular profession and undertakes the activity as the sole means of living/earning his/her livelihood.

3.4.6

Preference may be given by banks to financing professionals like doctors, etc., who are carrying on their profession in rural or semi-urban areas. The term also includes firms and joint ventures of such professional and self-employed persons. This category will include all advances granted by the bank under special schemes, if any, introduced for the purpose.

3.4.7

Only such professional and self-employed persons whose borrowings (limits) do not exceed Rs. 10 lakhs of which not more than Rs. 2 lakh should be for working capital requirements, should be covered under this category. However, in the case of professionally qualified medical practitioners, setting up of practice in semi-urban and rural areas, the borrowing limits should not exceed Rs. 15 lakhs with a sub-ceiling of Rs. 3 lakhs for working capital requirements. Advances granted for purchase of one motor vehicle to professional and self-employed persons other than qualified medical practitioners will not be included under the priority sector.

3.4.8

Advances granted by banks to professional and self-employed persons for acquiring personal computers for their professional use, may be classified in this category, provided the ceiling of total borrowings of Rs. 10 lakhs of which working capital should not be more than Rs. 2 lakh per borrower, is complied with in each case for the entire credit inclusive of credit provided for purchase of personal computer. However, home computers should not be treated on par with personal computers and excluded from priority sector lending.

3.5

State Sponsored Organisations for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes

Advances sanctioned to State Sponsored Organisations for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes for the specific purpose of purchase and supply of inputs to and/or the marketing of the outputs of the beneficiaries of these organisations.

3.6

Education

Educational loans should include only loans and advances granted to individuals for educational purposes and not those granted to institutions and will include all advances granted by banks under special schemes, if any, introduced for the purpose.

3.7

Housing

3.7.1

Direct Finance

i)

Loans upto Rs. 5 lakh in rural/ semi-urban areas and upto Rs 10 lakhs in urban and metropolitan areas for construction of houses by individuals, excluding loans granted by banks to their own employees.

ii)

Loans given for repairs to the damaged houses of individuals upto Rs.1 lakh in rural and semi-urban areas and to Rs.2 lakh in urban areas.

iii)

Loans granted by banks upto Rs. 5 lakhs to individuals desirous of acquiring or constructing new dwelling units and upto Rs. 50,000/- for upgradation or major repairs to the existing units in rural areas under Special Rural Housing Scheme of NHB.

3.7.2

Indirect Finance

i)

Assistance given to any governmental agency for construction of houses or for slum clearance and rehabilitation of slum dwellers, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 5 lakhs of loan amount per housing unit.

ii)

Assistance given to a non-governmental agency approved by the NHB for the purpose of refinance for reconstruction of houses or for slum clearance and rehabilitation of slum dwellers, subject to a ceiling of loan component of Rs. 5 lakhs per housing unit.

iii)

All the investment in bonds issued by NHB/HUDCO exclusively for financing of housing, irrespective of the loan size per dwelling unit, will be reckoned for inclusion.

3.8

Consumption Loans

Pure consumption loans granted under the Consumption Credit Scheme should be included in this item.

3.9

Loans to Self-Help Groups (SHGs)/NGOs / MICROCREDIT

3.9.1

Loans provided by banks to SHGs/NGOs for on-lending to SHG/members of SHGs/discreet individuals or small groups which are in the process of forming into SHGs will be reckoned as priority sector lending.

3.9.2

Lending to SHGs is to be included as a part of bank’s lending to weaker sections.

3.9.3

Microcredit provided by banks either directly or through any intermediary.

3.10

Food and Agro-based Processing Sector

The following items within the food and agro-based processing sector would be eligible for classification as priority sector for lending by banks :

• Fruit and vegetable processing industry


• Food grain milling industry


• Dairy products


• Processing of poultry and eggs, meat products


• Fish processing


• Bread, oilseeds, meals (edible), breakfast foods, biscuits, confectionery (including cocoa processing and chocolate), malt extract, protein isolate, high protein food, weaning food and extruded/ other ready to eat food products


• Aerated water/ soft drinks and other processed foods


• Special packaging for food processing industries


• Technical assistance and advice to food processing industry

With regard to the size of the units within this sector, it is clarified that food and agro-based processing units of small and medium size with investment in plant and machinery up to Rs 5 crore would be included under priority sector lending.

While loans to units satisfying SSI definition may be shown under advances to SSI, loans to other units should be shown separately in the half-yearly statements on priority sector lending.

3.11

Software Industry

Loans to software industry with credit limit upto Rs. 1 crore from the banking industry to be included under this item.

3.12

Venture Capital

Investment in Venture Capital will be eligible for inclusion in priority sector, subject to the condition that the venture capital funds/companies are registered with SEBI.

SECTION II

CERTAIN TYPES OF funds deployment eligible as priority sector advances

1.

Investments in Special Bonds

1.1

Investments made by the banks in special bonds issued by the specified institutions could be reckoned as part of priority sector advances, subject to the following conditions:

(i)

State Financial Corporations (SFCs)/State Industrial Development Corporations (SIDCs)

(a)

Subscription to bonds exclusively floated by SFCs & SIDCs for financing SSI units will be eligible for inclusion under priority sector as indirect finance to SSI.

(b)

List of institutions in various States which are notified as SIDCs is given in Annexure II1.

(ii)

Rural Electrification Corporation (REC)

Subscription to special bonds issued by REC exclusively for financing pump-set energisation programme in rural and semi-urban areas and the System Improvement Programme under its Special Projects Agriculture (SI-SPA) will be eligible for inclusion under priority sector lending as indirect finance to agriculture.

(iii)

NABARD

Subscription to bonds issued by NABARD with the objective of financing exclusively agriculture/allied activities and the non-farm sector will be eligible for inclusion under the priority sector as indirect finance to agriculture/ SSI, as the case may be.

(iv)

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)

Subscriptions to bonds exclusively floated by SIDBI for financing of SSI units will be eligible for inclusion under priority sector as indirect finance to SSIs.

(v)

The National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC)

Subscription to bonds issued by NSIC exclusively for financing of SSI units will be eligible for inclusion under priority sector as indirect finance to SSIs.

(vi)

National Housing Bank (NHB)

Subscription to bonds issued by NHB exclusively for financing of housing, irrespective of the loan size per dwelling unit, will be eligible for inclusion under priority sector advances as indirect housing finance.

(vii)

Housing & Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO)

(a)

Subscription to bonds issued by HUDCO exclusively for financing of housing, irrespective of the loan size per dwelling unit, will be eligible for inclusion under priority sector advances as indirect housing finance.

(b)

Investment in special bonds issued by HUDCO for on-lending to artisans, handloom weavers, etc. under tiny sector will be classified as indirect lending to SSI (Tiny) sector.

1.1.1

The issue of bonds should be accompanied by a declaration from the issuing institution that the proceeds would be utilised for financing of borrowers under the priority sector as detailed above and no refinance would be availed of against such loans to the ultimate borrowers from any other agency.

1.1.2

The rate of interest and maturity period of bonds may be settled by banks with the respective institutions.

1.13

While reporting to the RBI, the quantum of investment in bonds (as they would appear under investments in the Balance Sheet) should be shown separately under the appropriate sub-head in the priority sector returns.

2

Other Investments

Investment by banks in venture capital will be eligible for inclusion in priority sector lending. This is subject to the condition that venture capital funds/companies are registered with SEBI.

3

Lines of Credit

3.1

Banks may consider on merit, proposals received from State Industrial Development Corporations (SIDCs) and State Financial Corporations (SFCs) for sanction of term finance/loans in the form of lines of credit.

3.2

Such term finance/loans to the extent granted for/to the Small Scale Industrial (SSI) units, will be treated as priority sector lending, subject to the observance of following conditions:

(i)

SFC/SIDC should maintain separate and distinct accounts of fresh disbursements made to SSI units and outstanding amounts thereagainst.

(ii)

Periodical statements to be obtained from SFC/SIDC to monitor the position.

(iii)

Annually, a certificate issued by SFC/SIDC statutory auditors certifying that the outstanding borrowings from banks were fully covered by the non-overdue loans outstanding in respect of fresh disbursements made to SSI units from out of term finance/lines of credit granted by banks.

(iv)

The rate of interest to be charged by banks on such term finance/ loans/ lines of credit will be in conformity with the directives on interest rates issued by the Reserve Bank from time to time.

4

Bills Rediscounting

4.1

Funds provided by commercial banks to SIDBI by way of rediscounting of bills which are originally discounted by a commercial bank and rediscounted by SIDBI will be eligible for inclusion under the priority sector as indirect finance to SSI.

4.2

Funds provided by commercial banks to State Financial Corporations (SFCs) by way of rediscounting of bills of SSIs earlier discounted by the SFCs will be eligible for inclusion under the priority sector as indirect finance to SSIs.

5

Deposits in Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

Outstanding balances of the deposits placed by banks in Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) will be reckoned as their indirect finance to agriculture under the priority sector.

6.

LEASING AND HIRE PURCHASE

Para-banking activities such as leasing and hire purchase financing undertaken departmentally by banks will be classified as priority sector advances, provided the ultimate beneficiary satisfies the criteria laid down by RBI for treating such advances as advances to priority sector.

SECTION III

Targets for priority sector lending by scheduled commercial banks (excluding RRBs)

1

Main Targets for All Scheduled Commercial Banks excluding Foreign Banks

1.1

The scheduled commercial banks are expected to enlarge credit to priority sector and ensure that priority sector advances constitute 40 percent of net bank credit and that a substantial portion is directed to the weaker sections.

1.2

Within the overall main lending target of 40 percent of net bank credit, it should be ensured that:

(i)

18 percent of net bank credit goes to agricultural sector,

(ii)

10 percent of net bank credit is given to the ‘weaker sections’ and

(iii)

1 percent of previous year’s total advances is given under the Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) scheme.

2

SUB-TARGETS FOR ALL SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL BANKS EXCLUDING FOREIGN BANKS

2.1

Direct/Indirect Agricultural Lending

(i)

Taking into consideration the fact that ultimate objective of agricultural credit whether 'direct' or 'indirect' is to help the agricultural production, the lendings under the 'direct' and 'indirect' categories of agricultural advances will be clubbed for the purpose of computing performance of banks vis-à-vis the sub-target of 18 percent.

(ii)

However, to ensure that the focus of the banks on the direct category of agricultural advances does not get diluted; the lendings under the indirect category should not exceed one-fourth of the agricultural sub-target of 18 percent, i.e. 4.5 percent of net bank credit.

(iii)

Advances under the 'indirect' category in excess of 4.5 percent of net bank credit would not be reckoned in computing performance under the sub-target of 18 percent. However, all agricultural advances under the categories 'direct' and 'indirect' will be reckoned in computing performance under the overall priority sector target of 40 percent of the net bank credit.

2.2

Small Scale Industries

In order to ensure that credit is available to all segments of the SSI sector, banks should ensure that -

(a)

40 percent of the total credit to small scale industry goes to the cottage industries, khadi & village industries, artisans and tiny industries with investment in plant and machinery upto Rs. 5 lacs;

(b)

20 percent of the total credit to small scale industry goes to SSI units with investment in plant and machinery between Rs. 5 lakhs and Rs. 25 lakhs; and

(c)

The remaining 40 percent goes to other SSI units with investment exceeding Rs. 25 lakhs.

2.3

DRI Advances

(i)

It should be ensured that not less than 40 percent of the total advances granted under DRI scheme go to scheduled caste/scheduled tribes.

(ii)

At least two third i.e. 66^2/3 percent of DRI advances should be granted through rural and semi-urban branches.

Under the DRI Scheme, financial assistance is provided at concessional rate of interest (4 percent per annum) to selected low income groups, for productive endeavours.

2.4

Weaker Sections

(i)

In order to ensure that more under-privileged sections in the priority sector are given proper attention in the matter of allocation of credit, it should be ensured that the advances to the weaker sections reach a level of 25 percent of priority sector advances or 10 percent of net bank credit.

(ii)

The weaker sections under priority sector include the following:

(a)

Small and marginal farmers with land holding of 5 acres and less and landless labourers, tenant farmers and share croppers.

(b)

Artisans, village and cottage industries where individual credit limits do not exceed Rs. 50,000/-

(c)

Beneficiaries of Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY)

(d)

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

(e)

Beneficiaries of Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) scheme

(f)

Beneficiaries under Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY)

(g)

Beneficiaries under the Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavangers (SLRS).

(h)

Advances to Self Help Groups

3

Targets for Foreign Banks

3.1.1

With a view to reducing the disparity between the domestic banks and the foreign banks operating in India in regard to their priority sector obligations the minimum lending to priority sector by the foreign banks shall be 32 percent of their net credit.

3.1.2

However, keeping in view that the foreign banks have no rural branch network, the composition of priority sector advances in their case will be inclusive of export credit provided by them.

3.1.3

Within the overall target of 32 percent to be achieved by foreign banks, the advances to small scale industries sector should not be less than 10 percent of the net bank credit and the export credit should not be less than 12 percent of the net bank credit.

[The net bank credit should tally with the figures reported in the fortnightly return submitted under section 42(2) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Outstanding deposits under the FCNR(B) and NRNR Schemes are excluded from net bank credit for computation of priority sector lending target/ sub-targets]

4.

DEPOSIT by Foreign Banks WITH SIDBI towards shortfall in priority sector lending

4.1

In the event of failure to attain the stipulated targets and sub-targets, the foreign banks will be required to make good the shortfall in the achievement of the targets / sub-targets by depositing for a period of one year, an amount equivalent to the shortfall with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) at the interest rate of 8 percent per annum or as may be decided by the Reserve Bank from time to time.

4.2

The shortfall in achieving the priority sector lending target ad the sub-targets should be computed as on the last reporting Friday of March every year and made good by placing a deposit with SIDBI as stated above. The deposits should be placed before the end of April of that year.

4.3

In regard to the above, it is to be clarified that in the event of failure on the part of foreign banks to achieve any of the stipulated sub-targets in respect of advances to SSI sector and export credit, even if they achieve the overall target of 32 percent, the shortfall should be made good by placing with SIDBI a deposit of an amount equivalent to the shortfall in each of the sub-targets. Also, in the event of failure on the part of banks to achieve one of the sub-targets or both the sub-targets, and also the overall target of 32 percent, the shortfall in achieving the sub-targets and the overall target should be made good by placing with SIDBI a deposit of an amount equivalent to (i) aggregate shortfall in the sub-targets, or (ii) the shortfall in the overall target, whichever shortfall is higher. In case the shortfall is in achievement of the overall target only and not in the sub-target, banks should make good the shortfall in achieving the overall target.

4.4

The outstanding balances of these deposits placed with SIDBI may be reckoned as part of their priority sector advances during the currency of the deposits, as indirect finance to SSIs. The amount of deposits should, however, be shown separately in the returns on priority sector advances submitted to RBI.

5.

Contribution by banks TO Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

5.1

Domestic scheduled commercial banks having shortfall in lending to priority sector / agriculture are allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) established in NABARD. Details regarding operationalisation of the RIDF such as the amounts to be deposited by banks, interest rates on deposits, period of deposits etc., are decided every year after announcement in the Union Budget about setting up of RIDF. The contributions to be made by banks are communicated to the banks concerned separately.

5.2

Shortfall in lending to priority sector / agriculture is taken into account while making allocations to banks under RIDF, which amount has to be deposited with NABARD at a certain rate of interest. In the case of RIDF-I to VI, the rate of interest on deposits placed in the Fund was uniform for all banks irrespective of the extent of their shortfall. Effective RIDF-VII, the rate of interest on RIDF deposits was linked to the banks’ performance in lending to agriculture. Accordingly, banks will receive interest from NABARD on contribution to RIDF-VIII at rates of interest inversely related to the shortfall in agricultural lending, as indicated below:

SECTION IV

common guidelines for priority sector advances

1

Based on the recommendations made by the working groups and high powered committees appointed by the Government of India and the Reserve Bank, a set of comprehensive guidelines to be followed for advances to all categories of borrowers in the priority sector were evolved. These guidelines are detailed in the subsequent paragraphs. Banks should follow these common guidelines prescribed by the Reserve Bank for all categories of advances under the priority sector.

2

Processing of Applications

2.1

Completion of Application Forms

In areas covered by special schemes such as SGSY, the concerned project authorities like DRDAs, DICs etc. should arrange for completion of application forms received from borrowers. In other areas, the bank staff should help the borrowers for this purpose.

2.2

Issue of Acknowledgement of Loan Applications

Banks should give acknowledgement for loan applications received from weaker sections. Towards this purpose, while getting fresh stocks of application forms printed, it may be ensured that these forms have perforated portion for acknowledgement to be completed and issued by the receiving branch. Each branch may affix on the main application form as well as the corresponding portion for acknowledgement, a running serial number. While using the existing stock of application forms till then, an acknowledgement (separately prepared) should be given for each application, care being taken to ensure that the serial number given on the acknowledgement is also recorded on the main application.

2.3

Disposal of Applications

All loan applications upto a credit limit of Rs. 25,000/- should be disposed of within a fortnight and those for over Rs. 25,000/-, within 8 to 9 weeks.

2.4

Rejection of Proposals

Branch Managers may reject applications (except in respect of SC/ST) provided the cases of rejection are verified subsequently by the Divisional/Regional Managers. In the case of proposals from SC/ST, rejection should be at a level higher than that of Branch Manager.

2.5

Register of Rejected Applications

A register should be maintained at branch wherein the date of receipt, sanction/rejection/disbursement with reasons therefor etc., should be recorded. The register should be made available to all inspecting agencies.

3

Mode of Disbursement of Loan

As far as possible, disbursement of loan amounts sanctioned should be made directly to the suppliers of inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, raw materials, implements, trucks, machinery, etc.

With a view to providing farmers wider choice as also eliminating undesirable practices, banks may disburse all loans for agricultural purposes in cash which will facilitate dealer choice to borrowers and foster an environment of trust. However, banks may continue the practice of obtaining receipts from borrowers.

4

Repayment Schedule

4.1

Repayment programme should be fixed taking into account the sustenance requirements, surplus generating capacity, the break-even point, the life of the asset, etc., and not in an "ad hoc" manner. In respect of composite loan upto Rs. 50,000/- to artisans, village and cottage industries, repayment schedule may be fixed for term loan component only (subject to SIDBI's requirements being fulfilled).

4.2

In case of default on account of natural calamities like floods, drought, etc. crop loans may be converted into medium-term loans of 3 to 5 years and extension/ re-phasement may be allowed in the case of term loans.

4.3

In the case of other borrowers affected by natural calamities, banks may convert drawings in excess of the value of security into a term loan repayable over a reasonable period of time and provide further working capital and extend/re-phase the instalments due under term loans.

5

Rates of Interest

The rates of interest on various categories of priority sector advances will be as per RBI directives issued from time to time.

6

Penal Interest

6.1.1

The issue of charging penal interests that should be levied for reasons such as default in repayment, non-submission of financial statements etc. has been left to the Board of each bank. Banks have been advised to formulate policy for charging such penal interest with the approval of their Boards, to be governed by well accepted principles of transparency, fairness, incentive to service the debt and due regard to difficulties of customers.

6.1.2

No penal interest should be charged by banks for loans under priority sector up to Rs 25,000 as hitherto. However, banks will be free to levy penal interest for loans exceeding Rs 25,000, in terms of the above guidelines.

7.

INSPECTION CHARGES

7.1.1

No inspection charges should be levied on advances upto Rs. 5,000/-.

7.1.2

For advances above Rs. 5,000/- but upto Rs. 25,000/-, inspection charges may be levied at the flat rate of Rs. 2.50 per inspection per borrower. These charges should, however, not exceed Rs. 10 per year per borrower.

7.1.3

For loans above Rs. 25,000/- reasonable inspection charges may be levied; care should, however, be taken to see that the inspection charges on advances to the weaker sections in the priority sector are lower than the rates framed for such inspection in other cases.

8.

Insurance against Fire and Other Risks

8.1

Banks may waive insurance of assets financed by bank credit in the following cases:

8.2

Where, however, insurance of vehicle or machinery or other equipment/assets is compulsory under the provisions of any law or where such a requirement is stipulated in the refinance scheme of any refinancing agency or as part of a Government-sponsored programmes such as, IRDP (since replaced by SGSY), insurance should not be waived even if the relative credit facility does not exceed Rs. 10,000/- or Rs. 25,000/-, as the case may be.

9.

Other Charges

Banks should not levy any other service charges except by way of reimbursement of reasonable out of pocket expenses.

10.

Photographs of Borrowers

While there is no objection to taking photographs of the borrowers, for purposes of identification, banks themselves should make arrangements for the photographs and also bear the cost of photographs of borrowers falling in the category of Weaker Sections. It should also be ensured that the procedure does not involve any delay in loan disbursement.

11

Discretionary Powers

All Branch Managers of banks should be vested with discretionary powers to sanction proposals from weaker sections without reference to any higher authority. If there are difficulties in extending such discretionary powers to all the Branch Managers, such powers should exist at least at the district level and arrangements be ensured that credit proposals on weaker sections are cleared promptly.

12

Machinery to look into Complaints

12.1.1

There should be a machinery at the regional offices to entertain complaints from the borrowers if the branches do not follow these guidelines, and o verify periodically that these guidelines are implemented by the branches in actual practice.

12.1.2

The names and addresses of the officer with whom complaints can be lodged should be displayed on the notice board of every branch.

13

Amendments

These guidelines are subject to any instructions that may be issued by the RBI from time to time.