Recorded RBI impact
Fine: Rs 3.00 L
Monetary penalty · Fresh imposition
Published by RBI
19 Dec 2022
Case Brief
By an order dated December 15, 2022, RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 3.00 lakh on The Gujarat Rajya Karmachari Co-operative Bank Ltd., Ahmedabad (Gujarat). The penalty was imposed under section 47A(1)(c) read with sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, for contravention of RBI directions on maintenance of statutory reserves (CRR/SLR) by Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks and section 26A of the Act read with the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014. RBI’s inspection found that the bank had not maintained the minimum Cash Reserve Ratio and had not transferred balances in certain accounts remaining unclaimed for more than ten years to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund.
Why RBI Acted
RBI imposed a monetary penalty because, based on statutory inspection and review of the inspection report and related correspondence, the bank was found to have contravened RBI directions on Maintenance of Statutory Reserves (CRR and SLR) for Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks and section 26A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 read with paragraph 3 of the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014. The deficiencies included non-maintenance of minimum CRR and failure to transfer balances remaining unclaimed for more than ten years to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund. RBI concluded the charges were substantiated after considering the bank's reply and oral submissions.
Operating Impact
The bank must absorb the monetary penalty; the release does not impose a new operating restriction. The finding highlights continued compliance obligations around reserve maintenance and transfer of long-unclaimed customer balances to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund.
Regulatory Basis
- sub-section (2) of section 26A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
- Section 47 A (1) (c) read with Sections 46 (4) (i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
- paragraph 3 of The Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014
Action Facts
- Primary Impact
- Fine: Rs 3.00 L
- Order Date
- 15 Dec 2022
- Effective From
- 15 Dec 2022
- Entities Affected
- 1
- Entity Role
- Primary
- Entity Type
- Co-operative bank