The Reserve Bank of India has received complaints against banks alleging harassment and use of unfair means for recovery purposes, government told the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Replying to questions, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said as and when such complaints are received, these are examined in light of guidelines on the subject.

As per RBI Guidelines on Fair Practice Code for Lenders issued in May 2003, it is stipulated that in the matter of recovery of loans, the lender should not resort to undue harassment, including persistently bothering borrowers at odd hours and use of muscle power for recovery of loans, he said.

The RBI has issued instruction to all commercial banks/non-banking financial companies, excluding Regional Rural Banks, in November 2005 regarding credit card operations, Chidambaram said.

These stipulate that their agents should not resort to intimidation or harassment of any kind, either verbal or physical, against any person in their debt collection efforts, including acts intending to humiliate publicly or intrude the privacy of credit card holders' family members, referees and friends, making threatening and anonymous calls or making false and misleading representations.