The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated January 07, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹17.50 lakh (Rupees Seventeen Lakh Fifty Thousand only) on Janata Sahakari Bank Limited, Pune (the bank), for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Income Recognition, Asset Classification, Provisioning and Other Related Matters - UCBs’ and ‘Maintenance of Deposit Accounts – Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.  

The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice, oral submissions made during the personal hearing RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the bank were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty.

 The bank had:

i. failed to classify the loan accounts of certain borrowers as non-performing assets; and

ii. levied penal charges on savings bank accounts for non-maintenance of minimum balance on a flat rate basis instead of the charges being directly proportionate to the extent of shortfall.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

(Puneet Pancholy)    
Chief General Manager
     

Press Release: 2024-2025/1887