Srinagar, March 21: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry ( KCCI) lead by its President Javid Ahmad Tenga held a meeting with Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jammu & Kashmir Bank Baldev Prakash on Tuesday at the bank’s corporate office in Srinagar.
The KCCI, in a statement, said that their team discussed the issues facing various sectors of economy viz a viz the Jammu & Kashmir Bank.
The statement said that the attention of CEO/ MD was drawn to the distressful conditions that prevailed in Jammu & Kashmir in general and Kashmir in particular since devastating 2014 floods , turmoil, shutdowns, restrictions , communication breakdown during 2016 , 2018,2019 and COVID 19 epidemic which dealt a crippling blow to the economy as a result of which handicrafts, trade, industry, commerce, tourism, horticulture, transport , education , health and other sectors fared extremely poorly.
The CEO’s attention was also drawn to the fact that despite these economic problems the businesses ensured that the dues of banks were paid back which is evidenced by the fact that NPA’s in the Kashmir valley both amount and number wise is far less than compared to other places.
Moreover, it was impressed upon him that there are hardly any willful defaulters but defaulted due to circumstances beyond borrowers’ control.
The statement said that the KCCI while appreciating the steps taken by the Bank in floating one time settlement scheme sought a time period of 2 years instead of present 6 months. Moreover, KCCI suggested raising of the limit upto 50 crores instead of present limit of 10 crores under OTS. The KCCI proposed the scheme be made applicable to all accounts below 15 lacs NPA outstanding.
“The KCCI discussed the problem of renewal of cash credit limit which is causing difficulties to account holders and hampers their business activities,” it said.
KCCI proposed the revival and extension of Qarz Mukt Scheme for 6 months since the previous one could not be availed of by a large number of ‘loanees’. “The CEO was requested to devise a method of communication and negotiations jointly with KCCI before taking harsh steps like initiating SARFAESI proceedings which will help in making meaningful recovery in a dignified manner,” it said.
The KCCI proposed restructuring of stressed and NPA loans with a slightly reduced interest rate. Also the structured loans be charged lesser rate of interest.
There was an agreement on the formation of Joint KCC&I and J&K Bank Committee for the progress made on the implementation of the decisions arrived at between the bank and the KCC&I as was in the past,” it said.
Among other points discussed were applying priority rate of interest to Horticulture sector & review of application of SMA-1 & SMA-2 , upgrading of LCU’s, restoration/ delegation of overdraft powers, encouragement of startups and use of J&K Bank infrastructure for imparting skill development training, wide spread Awareness , program concessions in interest rates, upgrading of Bank IT response system like till free number , extension of time in registration of mortgages, deferment of credit rating like CIBIL , CRISIL etc.
“The MD/CEO J&K Bank was extremely positive in his response on all the issues for which KCCI president and his team thanked him and also for free , frank and cordial threadbare discussion held between CEO assisted by senior Bank officer and KCCI team. Significantly, there was agreement on most of the issues and CEO was kind enough to issue on the spot instruction to Bank officials. He assured that KCCI will find perceptible change in coming days,” the statement said.