Nivedita Mookerji, Manojit Saha

Stories by Nivedita Mookerji, Manojit Saha

PSBs' loan write-offs twice as much as govt's capital infusion

PSBs' loan write-offs twice as much as govt's capital infusion

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2021

Public sector banks (PSBs) have written off a massive Rs 8 trillion of loans in the seven years of the Narendra Modi government in office. This is more than twice the capital infused by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government during the period. Between 2014-15 and 2020-21 (FY21), the Centre had infused Rs 3.37 trillion into PSBs. At Rs 1.06 trillion, FY19 saw the highest capital infusion.

Why is NCDC not in the centre of managing the Covid-19 crisis?

Why is NCDC not in the centre of managing the Covid-19 crisis?

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2021

'We have the technical expertise, and international collaborations. We also have robust real-time data. We are a university of pandemic management. If the ministry neglects the role of NCDC, it is the loss of the country'

The e-com draft policy still needs plenty of rewriting

The e-com draft policy still needs plenty of rewriting

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2021

The proposed e-commerce rule book issued recently by the ministry of consumer affairs does not mention foreign companies or foreign direct investment (FDI) at any place, unlike most other government guidelines for the sector so far. That is a heartening development since the latest proposals could be fine-tuned as e-commerce policy.

'RBI has given us 120 days to operationalise SFB'

'RBI has given us 120 days to operationalise SFB'

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2021

Only when we are part of the same family, which will happen down the line, then, of course, we will give them (PMC depositors) all the assurance and the comfort.'

Should RBI print money and finance govt's fiscal deficit?

Should RBI print money and finance govt's fiscal deficit?

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2021

Experts disagree with the idea and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which has the sole right to print money, is not comfortable with it as well.

'I'm willing to give more than Rs 35,000 crores for vaccines'

'I'm willing to give more than Rs 35,000 crores for vaccines'

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

'I'll give it to the vaccine manufacturers without guarantees, take the payment in advance and give me the supplies.' 'The moment you give me one lot of supply, I'll give you more.'

'Strong economy attracts investment'

'Strong economy attracts investment'

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

'I'm not sure it's a bubble.'

'Booking is like boarding a train after reservation'

'Booking is like boarding a train after reservation'

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2021

'Some are doing one vaccination with one mobile number and the second with another.' 'Creating more accounts will not multiply the number of slots.'

Banks report loan fraud worth Rs 5 trn; SBI's amount largest

Banks report loan fraud worth Rs 5 trn; SBI's amount largest

Rediff.com   2 Jun 2021

Banks operating in India reported fraud of Rs 4.92 trillion as on March 31, 2021, which represents nearly 4.5 per cent of the total bank credit, showed Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, which was sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Saurabh Pandhare. The data showed 90 banks and financial institutions reported a total of 45,613 cases of loan fraud till March 31, 2021. State Bank of India - the country's largest lender - reported the highest amount of loans as fraud - Rs 78,072 crore as on March 31, 2021.

Stable rupee is bad news for foreign currency deposits

Stable rupee is bad news for foreign currency deposits

Rediff.com   27 May 2021

The flow of deposits from non-resident Indians (NRIs) hit a four-year low in the financial year 2020-21 mainly due to contraction in foreign currency deposits, latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) shows. Total NRI deposits during FY21 were $7.3 billion as compared to $8.6 billion in FY20 - the lowest since 2016-17, when such deposits had contracted by $12.3 billion. Indian banks have three kinds of deposit accounts where NRIs or PIOs (persons of Indian origin) can park their funds: non-resident external-rupee account (NRE); non-resident ordinary rupee account (NRO); and foreign currency non-resident bank account (FCNR [B]).

Covid effect: Banks prefer govt bonds to giving loans

Covid effect: Banks prefer govt bonds to giving loans

Rediff.com   20 May 2021

Record liquidity infusion by the central bank in the banking system during the financial year 2020-21 amid sluggish economic activity resulted in banks investing more in safe government papers than in extending loans, data from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) showed. This trend has not been seen in nearly two decades, barring 2016 - the year of demonetisation.

Why Citi is exiting India

Why Citi is exiting India

Rediff.com   10 May 2021

The Indian regulatory framework forced Citi to hibernate -- contrary to the claim that it never sleeps!

Why India's healthcare system is near collapse today

Why India's healthcare system is near collapse today

Rediff.com   10 May 2021

Shortage of ICU beds, oxygen, ventilators, vaccines, doctors, nurses and crematorium space in India has dominated headlines around the world in the past few weeks with Covid-19 cases surging beyond control and the government failing to deliver. Yes, election rallies, Kumbh Mela, blatant flouting of social distancing and mask protocols coupled with a messy vaccination process are said to be responsible for the health crisis of colossal proportions that India is facing today. But an analysis of Budget speeches made by finance ministers over 75 years also offers a glimpse of how low on the priority list healthcare has featured for the political class and policy-makers, which is a significant reason for the current situation.

Modi era: Private banks grow; PSBs don't

Modi era: Private banks grow; PSBs don't

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2021

Since 2014, the public sector banks' branch network in rural and semi urban has grown by a mere 4,000 while for private sector banks, it doubled from 9,673 to 18,437.

The myth and magic of unicorns

The myth and magic of unicorns

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2021

Becoming a unicorn is surely a marker for a company in its growth story, but it's not a major achievement nor is it a turning point of any significant worth.

'Father of banking reforms', M Narasimham, passes away

'Father of banking reforms', M Narasimham, passes away

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2021

New-generation private sector banks such as ICICI, HDFC, Axis, Kotak etcetera owe their existence to the recommendations of the first Narasimham Committee.

'We can go up to 1 crore vaccinations a day'

'We can go up to 1 crore vaccinations a day'

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2021

'Ultimately, we have to understand that we don't have the supply at the population scale. 'Therefore, it has to be prioritised.' 'That's what the government has done.'

Pay life insurance premium in advance and get a discount

Pay life insurance premium in advance and get a discount

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2021

The discount should be equal to interest rates on savings bank account deposit of State Bank of India.

WhyQ: Meet the teens who set up a business

WhyQ: Meet the teens who set up a business

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2021

'Sure, we are teenagers who are doing this part time, but we feel we are making some sort of an impact.'

Public may get COVID-19 vaccine by April

Public may get COVID-19 vaccine by April

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2021

Anybody over 50 years of age or with co-morbidities can get a date, place and time of choice for getting the vaccine shots.