The Reserve Bank of India has appointed Shri S.L.Bose, IAS (Retd.), formerly Member, Board of Revenue and Secretary, Land Reforms, Government of West Bengal, as the Banking Ombudsman for the States of West Bengal and Sikkim, with effect from May 12, 1997. Shri Bose will be based at the Reserve Bank of India, 15, Netaji Subhas Road, Calcutta 700 001. It may be recalled that the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 1995 was introduced by the Reserve Bank in June 1995. The Scheme,

To facilitate Indian overseas investment in Nepal in Indian Rupees, Government of India, Ministry of Commerce have announced certain relaxations in the existing norms vide their notification issued on March 26, 1997. The relaxations are: Proposals for Indian Rupee investments in Nepal not exceeding Rs.25 crore will now be considered by the Reserve Bank of India under the Fast Track Route. Such proposals will be considered without any linkage to export/foreign exchange