The Banking Regulation Act, 1949
# THE BANKING REGULATION ACT, 1949

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

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PART I

PRELIMINARY

SECTIONS

1. Short title, extent and commencement.

2. Application of other laws not barred.

3. Act not to apply to certain co-operative societies.

4. Power to suspend operation of Act.

5. Interpretation.

5A. Act to override memorandum, articles, etc.

PART II

BUSINESS OF BANKING COMPANIES

6. Form of business in which banking companies may engage.

7. Use of words “bank”, “banker”, “banking” or “banking company”.

8. Prohibition of trading.

9. Disposal of non-banking assets.

10. Prohibition of employment of managing agents and restrictions on certain forms of

employment.

10A. Board of directors to include persons with professional or other experience.

10B. Banking company to be managed by whole time chairman.

10BB. Power of Reserve Bank to appoint chairman of the Board of directors appointed on a

whole-time basis or a managing director of a banking company.

10C. Chairman and certain directors not to be required to hold qualification shares.

10D. Provisions of sections 10A and 10B to override all other laws, contracts, etc.

11. Requirement as to minimum paid-up capital and reserves.

12. Regulation of paid-up capital, subscribed capital and authorised capital and voting rights of

shareholders.

12A. Election of new directors.

12B. Regulation of acquisition of shares or voting rights.

13. Restriction on commission, brokerage, discount, etc., on sale of shares.

14. Prohibition of charge on unpaid capital.

14A. Prohibition of floating charge on assets.

15. Restrictions as to payment of dividend.

16. Prohibition of common directors.

17. Reserve Fund.

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SECTIONS

18. Cash reserve.

19. Restriction on nature of subsidiary companies.

20. Restrictions on loans and advances.

20A. Restrictions on power to remit debts.

21. Power of Reserve Bank to control advances by banking companies.

21A. Rates of interest charged by banking companies not to be subject to scrutiny by courts.

22. Licensing of banking companies.

23. Restrictions on opening of new, and transfer of existing, places of business.

24. Maintenance of a percentage of assets.

25. Assets in India.

26. Return of unclaimed deposits.

26A. Establishment of Depositor Education and Awareness Fund.

27. Monthly returns and power to call for other returns and information.

28. Power to publish information.

29. Accounts and balance-sheet.

29A. Power in respect of associate enterprises.

30. Audit.

31. Submission of returns.

32. Copies of balance-sheets and accounts to be sent to registrar.

33. Display of audited balance-sheet by companies incorporated outside India.

34. Accounting provision of this Act not retrospective.

34A. Production of documents of confidential nature.

35. Inspection.

35A. Power of the Reserve Bank to give directions.

35B. Amendments of provisions relating to appointments of managing directors, etc., to be subject

to previous approval of the Reserve Bank.

36. Further powers and functions of Reserve Bank.

36A. Certain provisions of the Act not to apply to certain banking companies.

PART IIA

CONTROL OVER MANAGEMENT

36AA. Power of Reserve Bank to remove managerial and other persons from office.

36AB. Power of Reserve Bank to appoint additional directors.

36AC. Part IIA to override other laws.

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PART IIAB

SUPERSESSION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BANKING COMPANY

SECTIONS

36ACA. Supersession of Board of Directors in certain cases.

PART IIB

PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO BANKING COMPANIES

36AD. Punishments for certain activities in relation to banking companies.

PART IIC

ACQUISITION OF THE UNDERTAKINGS OF BANKING COMPANIES IN CERTAIN CASES

36AE. Power of Central Government to acquire undertakings of banking companies in certain

cases.

36AF. Power of the Central Government to make scheme.

36AG. Compensation to be given to shareholders of the acquired bank.

36AH. Constitution of the Tribunal.

36AI. Tribunal to have powers of a civil court.

36AJ. Procedure of the Tribunal.

PART III

SUSPENSION OF BUSINESS AND WINDING UP OF BANKING COMPANIES

36B. High Court defined.

37. Suspension of business.

38. Winding up by High Court.

38A. Court liquidator.

39. Reserve Bank to be official liquidator.

39A. Application of Companies Act to liquidators.

40. Stay of proceedings.

41. Preliminary report by official liquidator.

41A. Notice to preferential claimants and secured and unsecured creditors.

42. Power to dispense with meetings of creditors, etc.

43. Booked depositors' credits to be deemed proved.

43A. Preferential payments to depositors.

44. Powers of High Court in voluntary winding up.

44A. Procedure for amalgamation of banking companies.

44B. Restriction on compromise or arrangement between banking company and creditors.

45. Power of Reserve Bank to apply to Central Government for suspension of business by a

banking company and to prepare scheme of reconstitution or amalgamation.

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PART IIIA

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR SPEEDY DISPOSAL OF WINDING UP PROCEEDINGS

SECTIONS

45A. Part IIIA to override other laws.

45B. Power of High Court to decide all claims in respect of banking companies.

45C. Transfer of pending proceedings.

45D. Settlement of list of debtors.

45E. Special provisions to make calls on contributories.

45F. Documents of banking company to be evidence.

45G. Public examination of directors and auditors.

45H. Special provisions for assessing damages against delinquent directors, etc.

45-I. Duty of directors and officers of banking company to assist in the realisation of property.

45J. Special provisions for punishing offences in relation to banking companies being wound up.

45K. [Omitted.].

45L. Public examination of directors and auditors, etc., in respect of a banking company under

schemes of arrangement.

45M. Special provisions for banking companies working under schemes of arrangement at the

commencement of the Amendment Act.

45N. Appeals.

45-O. Special period of limitation.

45P. Reserve Bank to tender advice in winding up proceedings.

45Q. Power to Inspect.

45R. Power to call for returns and information.

45S. Chief Presidency Magistrate and District Magistrate to assist official liquidator in taking

charge of property of banking company being wound up.

45T. Enforcement of orders and decisions of High Court.

45U. Power of High Court to make rules.

45V. References to directors, etc., shall be construed as including references to past directors, etc.

45W. Part II not to apply to banking companies being wound up.

45X. Validation of certain proceedings.

PART IIIB

PROVISIONS RELATING TO CERTAIN OPERATIONS OF BANKING COMPANIES

45Y. Power of Central Government to make rules for the preservation of records.

45Z. Return of paid instruments to customers.

45ZA. Nomination for payment of depositors' money.

45ZB. Notice of claims of other persons regarding deposits not receivable.

45ZC. Nomination for return of articles kept in safe custody with banking company.

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SECTIONS

45ZD. Notice of claims of other persons regarding articles not receivable.

45ZE. Release of contents of safety lockers.

45ZF. Notice of claims of other persons regarding safety lockers not receivable.

PART IV

MISCELLANEOUS

46. Penalties.

46A. Chairman, director, etc., to be public servants for the purposes of Chapter IX of the Indian

Penal Code.

47. Cognizance of offences.

47A. Power of Reserve Bank to impose penalty.

48. Application of fines.

49. Special provisions for private banking companies.

49A. Restriction on acceptance of deposits withdrawable by cheque.

49B. Change of name by a banking company.

49C. Alteration of memorandum of a banking company.

50. Certain claims for compensation barred.

51. Application of certain provisions to the State Bank of India and other notified banks.

51A. Powers of Reserve Bank not to apply to International Financial Services Centre.

52. Power of Central Government to make rules.

53. Power to exempt in certain cases.

54. Protection of action taken under Act.

55. Amendment of Act 2 of 1934.

55A. Power to remove difficulties.

PART V

APPLICATION OF THE ACT TO CO-OPERATIVE BANKS

56. Act to apply to co-operative societies subject to modifications.

THE FIRST SCHEDULE

THE SECOND SCHEDULE.

THE THIRD SCHEDULE.

THE FOURTH SCHEDULE.

THE FIFTH SCHEDULE.

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# THE BANKING REGULATION ACT, 1949
 ACT NO. 10 OF 1949[1]

 An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to banking [2]***.



[10th March, 1949.]


WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to banking [2]***;
It is hereby enacted as follows:—

PART I

PRELIMINARY

**1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Banking [3][Regulation]**

Act, 1949.

4[(2) It extends to the whole of India 5***.]
(3) It shall come into force on such date[6] as the Central Government may, by notification in the

Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf.

**2. Application of other laws not barred.—The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and**

not, save as hereinafter expressly provided, in derogation of the [7][Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)],
any other law for the time being in force.

8[3. Act not to apply to certain co-operative societies.—Notwithstanding anything contained in

the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981 (61 of 1981), this Act shall not
apply to—

(a) a primary agricultural credit society; or
(b) a co-operative society whose primary object and principal business is providing of long
term finance for agricultural development,

if such society does not use as part of its name, or in connection with its business, the words “bank”,
“banker” or “banking” and does not act as drawee of cheques.]

**4. Power to suspend operation of Act.—(1) The Central Government, if on a representation made**

by the Reserve Bank in this behalf is satisfied that it is expedient so to do, may by notification in the
Official Gazette, suspend for such period, not exceeding sixty days, as may be specified in the
notification, the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act, either generally or in relation to
any specified banking company.

(2) In a case of special emergency, the Governor of the Reserve Bank, or in his absence a Deputy

Governor of the Reserve Bank nominated by him in this behalf may, by order in writing, exercise the
powers of the Central Government under sub-section (1) so however that the period of suspension shall
not exceed thirty days, and where the Governor or the Deputy Governor, as the case may be, does so, he
shall report the matter to the Central Government forthwith, and the order shall, as soon as may be, be
published in the Gazette of India.

1. For statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette of India, 1948, Part V, pp. 311 and 312; for Report of Select Committee,

_see ibid., 1949. Part V. pp. 45 to 48. Extended to Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Regulation 6 of 1963, section 2 and Schedule I_
(w.e.f. 1-7-1965) and to Goa, Daman and Diu by Regulation 11 of 1963, section 3 and Schedule (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
Nothing in this Act (except section 34A) shall apply to the Industrial Development Bank of India, _vide Act 18 of 1964,_
section 34.

2. The word “companies” omitted by Act 23 of 1965, s. 10 (w.e.f. 1-3-1966).
3. Subs. by s. 11, ibid., for “Companies” (w.e.f. 1-3-1966).
4. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 2, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
5. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 62 of 1956, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 1-11-1956).
6. 16th March, 1949, see Notification No. F. 4 (46)-FI/49, dated the 10th March, 1949, Gazette of India, 1949, Part I.
7. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)” (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
8. Subs. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 2, for section 3 (w.e.f. 26-6-2020).

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(3) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, extend from time to time

the period of any suspension ordered under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) for such period, not
exceeding sixty days at any one time, as it thinks fit so however that the total period does not exceed
one year.

(4) A copy of any notification issued under sub-section (3) shall be laid on the table

of [1][Parliament] as soon as may be after it is issued.

**5. Interpretation.—[2][In this Act], unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—**

3[(a) “approved securities” means the securities issued by the Central Government or any State

Government or such other securities as may be specified by the Reserve Bank from time to time.]

(b) “banking” means the accepting, for the purpose of lending or investment, of deposits of

money from the public, repayable on demand or otherwise, and withdrawable by cheque, draft,
order or otherwise;

(c) “banking company” means any company which transacts the business of banking

4[in India];

_Explanation.—Any company which is engaged in the manufacture of goods or carries on any_

trade and which accepts deposits of money from the public merely for the purpose of financing its
business as such manufacturer or trader shall not be deemed to transact the business of banking
within the meaning of this clause;

5[(ca) “banking policy” means any policy which is specified from time to time by the Reserve

Bank in the interest of the banking system or in the interest of monetary stability or sound economic
growth, having due regard to the interests of the depositors, the volume of deposits and other
resources of the bank and the need for equitable allocation and the efficient use of these deposits
and resources;]

6[(cc) “branch” or “branch office”, in relation to a banking company, means any branch or

branch office, whether called a pay office or sub-pay office or by any other name, at which deposits
are received, cheques cashed or moneys lent, and for the purposes of section 35 includes any place
of business where any other form of business referred to in sub-section (1) of section 6 is
transacted;]

7[(d) “company” means any company as defined in section 3 of the Companies Act, 1956

(1 of 1956); and includes foreign company within the meaning of section 591 of that Act;]

8[(da) “corresponding new bank” means a corresponding new bank constituted under section 3

of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 (5 of 1970), or
under section 3 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980
(40 of 1980);]

9*     -     -     -     
1. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “the Dominion Legislature”.
2. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 6, for “(1) In this Act” (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
3. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 2 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
4. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “in any State”.
5. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
6. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
7. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for clause (d) (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
8. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 13 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
9. Clause (e) omitted by Act 52 of 1953, s. 2 (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).

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(f) “demand liabilities” means liabilities which must be met on demand, and “time liabilities”

means liabilities which are not demand liabilities;

1[(ff) “Deposit Insurance Corporation” means the Deposit Insurance Corporation established

under section 3 of the Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 1961 (47 of 1961);]

2[ 3*      -      -      -      
(ffb) “Exim Bank” means the Export-Import Bank of India established under section 3 of the

Export-Import Bank of India Act, 1981 (28 of 1981);]

4[(ffc) “Reconstruction Bank” means the Industrial Reconstruction Bank of India established

under Section 3 of the Industrial Reconstruction Bank of India Act, 1984 (62 of 1984);]

5[(ffd) “National Housing Bank” means the National Housing Bank established under section 3

of the National Housing Bank Act, 1987 (53 of 1987);]

(g) “gold” includes gold in the form of coin, whether legal tender or not, or in the form of

bullion or ingot, whether refined or not;

6[(gg) “managing agent” includes,—

(i) secretaries and treasurers,
(ii) where the managing agent is a company, any director of such company, and any

member thereof who holds substantial interest in such company,

(iii) where the managing agent is a firm, any partner of such firm;]

7[(h) “managing director”, in relation to a banking company, means a director who, by virtue of

an agreement with the banking company or of a resolution passed by the banking company in
general meeting or by its Board of directors or, by virtue of its memorandum or articles of
association, is entrusted with the management of the whole, or substantially the whole of the affairs
of the company, and includes a director occupying the position of a managing director, by whatever
name called:]

8[Provided that the managing director shall exercise his powers subject to the superintendence,

control and direction of the Board of directors.]

9[(ha) “National Bank” means the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

established under section 3 of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981
(61 of 1981);]

10[(hb) “National Bank for financing Infrastructure and Development” means the Institution

established under section 3 of the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act,
2021;

(hc) “other development financial institution” means a development financial institution

licensed under section 29 of the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act,
2021;]

11*     -     -     -     
(j) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

9[(ja) “regional rural bank” means a regional rural bank established under section 3 of the

Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 (21 of 1976);]

1. Ins. by Act 47 of 1961, s. 51 and the Second Schedule, Part II (w.e.f. 1-1-1962).
2. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 13 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Omitted by Act 53 of 2003, s. 12 and Schedule, Part II (w.e.f. 2-7-2004).
4. Ins. by Act 62 of 1984, s. 71 and the Third Schedule (w.e.f. 20-3-1985).
5. Ins. by Act 53 of 1987, s. 56 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 9-7-1988).
6. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
7. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 2, for clause (h) (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
8. Added by Act 58 of 1968, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
9. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).
10. Ins. by Act 17 of 2021, s. 48 and the third Schedule (w.e.f. 19-4-2021).
11. Omitted by Act 33 of 1959, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).

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1*     -     -     -     
2[(l) “Reserve Bank” means the Reserve Bank of India constituted under section 3 of the

Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934):]

1*     -     -     -     
(n) “secured loan or advance” means a loan or advance made on the security of assets the

market value of which is not at any time less than the amount of such loan or advance; and
“unsecured loan or advance” means a loan or advance not so secured;

3[(ni) “Small Industries Bank” means the Small Industries Development Bank of India

established under section 3 of the Small Industries Development Bank of India Act, 1989
(39 of 1989);]

4[(na) “small-scale industrial concern” mean an industrial concern in which the investment in

plant and machinery is not in excess of seven and a half lakhs of rupees or such higher amount, not
exceeding twenty lakhs of rupees, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, specify in this behalf, having regard to the trends in industrial development and other
relevant factors;

5[(nb) “Sponsor Bank” has the meaning assigned to it in the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976

(21 of 1976) :

(nc) “State Bank of India” means the State Bank of India constituted under section 3 of the

State Bank of India Act, 1955 (23 of 1955);]

6[(nd)] “subsidiary bank” has the meaning assigned to it in the State Bank of India (Subsidiary

Banks) Act, 1959 (38 of 1959);

7[(ne)] “substantial interest”,—

(i) in relation to a company, means the holding of a beneficial interest by an individual or

his spouse or minor child, whether singly or taken together in the shares thereof, the amount
paid-up on which exceeds five lakhs of rupees or ten per cent. of the paid-up capital of the
company, whichever is less;

(ii) in relation to a firm, means the beneficial interest held therein by an individual or his

spouse or minor child, whether singly or taken together, which represents more than ten
per cent. of the total capital subscribed by all the partners of the said firm;]
8[(o) all other words and expressions used herein but not defined and defined in the Companies

Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in that Act.]

9*     -     -     -     
10[5A. Act to override memorandum, articles, etc.—Save as otherwise expressly provided in this

Act,—

(a) the provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary

contained in the memorandum or articles of a banking company, or in any agreement executed by
it, or in any resolution passed by the banking company in general meeting or by its Board of

1. Omitted by Act 33 of 1959, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 13, for clause (l) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Ins. by Act 39 of 1989, s. 53 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 25-10-1989).
4. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
5. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 13, (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
6. Clause (nb) re-lettered as clause (nd) by Act 1 of 1984, s. 13 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
7. Clause (nc) re-lettered as clause (ne) by s. 13, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
8. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
9. Omitted by the A.O. 1950.
10. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).

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Directors, whether the same be registered, executed or passed, as the case may be, before or after
the commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1959 (33 of 1959); and

(b) any provision contained in the memorandum, articles, agreement or resolution aforesaid

shall, to the extent to which it is repugnant to the provisions of this Act, become or be void, as the
case may be.]

PART II

BUSINESS OF BANKING COMPANIES

**6. Forms of business in which banking companies may engage.—(1) In addition to the business**

of banking, a banking company may engage in any one or more of the following forms of business,
namely:—

(a) the borrowing, raising, or taking up of money; the lending or advancing of money either

upon or without security; the drawing, making, accepting, discounting, buying, selling, collecting
and dealing in bills of exchange, hoondees, promissory notes, coupons, drafts, bills of lading,
railway receipts, warrants, debentures, certificates, scripts and other instruments, and securities
whether transferable or negotiable or not; the granting and issuing of letters of credit, traveller's
cheques and circular notes; the buying, selling and dealing in bullion and specie; the buying and
selling of foreign exchange including foreign bank notes; the acquiring, holding, issuing on
commission, underwriting and dealing in stock, funds, shares, debentures, debenture stock, bonds,
obligations, securities and investments of all kinds; the purchasing and selling of bonds, scripts or
other forms of securities on behalf of constituents or others, the negotiating of loans and advances;
the receiving of all kinds of bonds, scripts or valuables on deposit or for safe custody or otherwise;
the providing of safe deposit vaults; the collecting and transmitting of money and securities;

(b) acting as agents for any Government or local authority or any other person or persons; the

carrying on of agency business of any description including the clearing and forwarding of goods,
giving of receipts and discharges and otherwise acting as an attorney on behalf of customers but
excluding the business of a [1][managing agent or secretary and treasurer] of a company;

(c) contracting for public and private loans and negotiating and issuing the same;

(d) the effecting, insuring, guranteeing, underwriting, participating in managing and carrying

out of any issue, public or private, of State, municipal or other loans or of shares, stock, debentures
or debenture stock of any company, corporation or association and the lending of money for the
purpose of any such issue;

(e) carrying on and transacting every kind of guarantee and indemnity business;

(f) managing, selling and realising any property which may come into the possession of the

company in satisfaction or part satisfaction of any of its claims;

(g) acquiring and holding and generally dealing with any property or any right, title or interest

in any such property which may form the security or part of the security for any loans or advances
or which may be connected with any such security;

(h) undertaking and executing trusts;

(i) undertaking the administration of estates as executor, trustee or otherwise;

(j) establishing and supporting or aiding in the establishment and support of associations,

institutions, funds, trusts and conveniences calculated to benefit employees or ex-employees of the
company or the dependents or connections of such persons; granting pensions and allowances

1. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 4, for “managing agent” (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).

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and making payments towards insurance; subscribing to or guaranteeing moneys for charitable or
benevolent objects or for any exhibition or for any public, general or useful object;

(k) the acquisition, construction, maintenance and alteration of any building or works necessary

or convenient for the purposes of the company;

(l) selling, improving, managing, developing, exchanging, leasing, mortgaging, disposing of or

turning into account or otherwise dealing with all or any part of the property and rights of the
company;

(m) acquiring and undertaking the whole or any part of the business of any person or company,

when such business is of a nature enumerated or described in this sub-section;

(n) doing all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the promotion or advancement

of the business of the company;

(o) any other form of business which the Central Government may, by notification in the

Official Gazette, specify as a form of business in which it is lawful for a banking company to
engage.

(2) No banking company shall engage in any form of business other than those referred to in

sub-section (1).

1[7. Use of words “bank”, “banker”, “banking” or “banking company”.—(1) No company

other than a banking company shall use as part of its name [2][or in connection with its business] any of
the words “bank”, “banker” or “banking” and no company shall carry on the business of banking in
India unless it uses as part of its name at least one of such words.

(2) No firm, individual or group of individuals shall, for the purpose of carrying on any business,

use as part of its or his name any of the words “bank”, “banking” or “banking company”.

(3) Nothing in this section shall apply to—

(a) a subsidiary of a banking company formed for one or more of the purposes mentioned in

sub-section (1) of section 19, whose name indicates that it is a subsidiary of that banking company;

(b) any association of banks formed for the protection of their mutual interests and registered

under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956).]

**8. Prohibition of trading.—Notwithstanding anything contained in section 6 or in any contract, no**

banking company shall directly or indirectly deal in the buying or selling or bartering of goods, except
in connection with the realisation of security given to or held by it, or engage in any trade, or buy, sell
or barter goods for others otherwise than in connection with bills of exchange received for collection or
negotiation or with such of its business as is referred to in clause (i) sub-section (1) of section 6:

3[Provided that this section shall not apply to any such business as is specified in pursuance of

clause (o) of sub-section (1) of section 6.]


_Explanation.— For the purposes of this section, “goods” means every kind of moveable property,_

other than actionable claims, stocks, shares, money, bullion and specie, and all instruments referred to
in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 6.

**9. Disposal of non-banking assets.—Notwithstanding anything contained in section 6, no banking**

company shall hold any immovable property howsoever acquired, except such as is required for its own
use, for any period exceeding seven years from the acquisition thereof or from the commencement of
this Act, whichever is later or any extension of such period as in this section provided, and such
property shall be disposed of within such period or extended period, as the case may be:

1. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 7, for section 7 (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
2. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 14 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Subs. by s. 15, ibid., for the proviso (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

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Provided that the banking company may, within the period of seven years as aforesaid, deal or trade

in any such property for the purpose of facilitating the disposal thereof:

Provided further that the Reserve Bank may in any particular case, extend the aforesaid period of

seven years by such period not exceeding five years where it is satisfied that such extension would be in
the interest of the depositors of the banking company.

1[10. Prohibition of employment of managing agents and restrictions on certain forms of

**employment.—(1) No banking company—**

(a) shall employ or be managed by a managing agent; or

(b) shall employ or continue the employment of any person—

(i) who is, or at any time has been, adjudicated insolvent, or has suspended payment or has

compounded with his creditors, or who is, or has been, convicted by a criminal court of an
offence involving moral turpitude; or

(ii) whose remuneration or part of whose remuneration takes the form of commission or of

a share in the profits of the company:

2[Provided that nothing contained in this sub-clause shall apply to the payment by a

banking company of—

(a) any bonus in pursuance of a settlement or award arrived at or made under any law

relating to industrial disputes or in accordance with any scheme framed by such banking
company or in accordance with the usual practice prevailing in banking business;

(b) any commission to any broker (including guarantee broker), cashier-contractor,

clearing and forwarding agent, auctioneer or any other person, employed by the banking
company under a contract otherwise than as a regular member of the staff of the company;
or]

(iii) whose remuneration is, in the opinion of the Reserve Bank, excessive; or

(c) shall be managed by any person—

3[(i) who is a director of any other company not being—

(a) a subsidiary of the banking company, or

(b) a company registered under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956):

Provided that the prohibition in this sub-clause shall not apply in respect of any such

director for a temporary period not exceeding three months or such further period not exceeding
nine months as the Reserve Bank may allow; or]

(ii) who is engaged in any other business or vocation; or

(iii) [4][whose term of office as a person managing the company is] for a period exceeding

five years at any one time:

5[Provided that the term of office of any such person may be renewed or extended by further

periods not exceeding five years on each occasion subject to the condition that such renewal or
extension shall not be sanctioned earlier than two years from the date on which it is to come into force:

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 2, for section 10 (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
2. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 6, for the proviso (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
3. Subs. by s. 6, ibid., for sub-clause (i) (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
4. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 8, for “who has a contract with the company for its management” (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
5. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for the first proviso (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).

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Provided also that where the term of office of such person is for an indefinite period, such term,

unless it otherwise comes to an end earlier, shall come to an end immediately on the expiry of five years
from the date of his appointment or on the expiry of three months from the date of commencement of
section 8 of the Banking Laws (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1963 (55 of 1963), whichever is later:]

Provided further that nothing in this clause shall apply to a director, other than the managing

director, of a banking company by reason only of his being such director.

_Explanation.—For the purpose of sub-clause (iii) of clause (b), the expression “remuneration”, in_

relation to person employed or continued in employment, shall include salary, fees and perquisites but
shall not include any allowances or other amounts paid to him for the purpose of reimbursing him in
respect of the expenses actually incurred by him in the performance of his duties.

(2) In forming its opinion under sub-clause (iii) of clause (b) sub-section (1), the Reserve Bank may

have regard among other matters to the following:—

(i) the financial condition and history of the banking company, its size and area of operation, its

resources, the volume of its business, and the trend of its earning capacity;

(ii) the number of its branches or offices;

(iii) the qualifications, age and experience of the person concerned;
(iv) the remuneration paid to other persons employed by the banking company or to any person

occupying a similar position in any other banking company similarly situated; and

(v) the interests of its depositors.

1[ 2*      -      -      -      
(6) Any decision or order of the Reserve Bank made under this section shall be final for all

purposes.]]

3[10A. Board of directors to include persons with professional or other experience.—(1)

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, every banking
company,—

(a) in existence on the commencement of section 3 of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act,

1968 (58 of 1968), or

(b) which comes into existence thereafter,

shall comply with the requirements of this section:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall apply to a banking company referred to in

clause (a) for a period of three months from such commencement.

(2) Not less than fifty-one per cent. of the total number of members of the Board of directors of a

banking company shall consist of persons, who—

(a) shall have special knowledge or practical experience in respect of one or more of the

following matters, namely:—

(i) accountancy,

(ii) agriculture and rural economy,

(iii) banking,

(iv) co-operation,

(v) economics,

1. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 6, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
2. Omitted by Act 55 of 1963, s. 8 (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
3. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).

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(vi) finance,

(vii) law,

(viii) small-scale industry,

(ix) any other matter the special knowledge of, and practical experience in, which would, in

the opinion of the Reserve Bank, be useful to the banking company:

Provided that out of the aforesaid number of directors, not less than two shall be persons having

special knowledge or practical experience in respect of agriculture and rural economy, co-operation or
small-scale industry; and

(b) shall not—

(1) have substantial interest in, or be connected with, whether as employee, manager or

managing agent,—

(i) any company, not being a company registered under section 25 of the Companies

Act, 1956 (1 of 1956.), or

(ii) any firm, which carries on any trade, commerce or industry and which, in either

case, is not a small-scale industrial concern, or

(2) be proprietors of any trading, commercial or industrial concern, not being a small-scale

industrial concern.

[1][(2A) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Companies Act, 1956

(1 of 1956), or in any other law for the time being in force,—

(i) no director of a banking company, other than its chairman or whole-time director, by

whatever name called, shall hold office continuously for a period exceeding eight years;

(ii) a chairman or other whole-time director of a banking company who has been removed from

office as such chairman, or whole-time director, as the case may be, under the provisions of this Act
shall also cease to be a director of the banking company and shall also not be eligible to be
appointed as a director of such banking company, whether by election or co-option or otherwise, for
a period of four years from the date of his ceasing to be the chairman or whole-time director, as the
case may be.]

(3) If, in respect of any banking company, the requirements, as laid down in sub-section (2), are not

fulfilled at any time, the Board of directors of such banking company shall re-constitute such Board so
as to ensure that the said requirements are fulfilled.

(4) If, for the purpose of re-constituting the Board under sub-section (3), it is necessary to retire any

director or directors, the Board may, by lots drawn in such manner as may be prescribed, decide which
director or directors shall cease to hold office and such decision shall be binding on every director of
the Board.

(5) Where the Reserve Bank is of opinion that the composition of the Board of directors of a

banking company is such that it does not fulfil the requirements of sub-section (2), it may, after giving
to such banking company a reasonable opportunity of being heard, by an order in writing, direct the
banking company to so re-constitute its Board of directors as to ensure that the said requirements are
fulfilled and, if within two months from the date of receipt of that order, the banking company does not
comply with the directions made by the Reserve Bank, that Bank may, after determining, by lots drawn
in such manner as may be prescribed, the person who ought to be removed from the membership of the
Board of directors, remove such person from the office of the director of such banking company and
with a view to complying with the provisions of sub-section (2), appoint a suitable person as a member

1. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 16 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

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of the Board of directors in the place of the person so removed whereupon the person so appointed shall
be deemed to have been duly elected by the banking company as its director.

(6) Every appointment, removal or reconstitution duly made, and every election duly held, under

this section shall be final and shall not be called into question in any court.

(7) Every director elected or, as the case may be, appointed under this section shall hold office until

the date up to which his predecessor would have held office, if the election had not been held, or, as the
case may be, the appointment had not been made.

(8) No act or proceeding of the Board of directors of a banking company shall be invalid by reason

only of any defect in the composition thereof or on the ground that it is subsequently discovered that
any of its members did not fulfil the requirements of this section.

**10B.** **Banking company to be managed by whole time chairman.—[1][(1) Notwithstanding**

anything contained in any law for the time being in force or in any contract to the contrary, every
banking company in existence on the commencement of the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act,
1994 (20 of 1994), or which comes into existence thereafter shall have one of its directors, who may be
appointed on a whole-time or a part-time basis as chairman of its Board of directors, and where he is
appointed on a whole-time basis, as chairman of its Board of directors, he shall be entrusted with the
management of the whole of the affairs of the banking company:

Provided that the chairman shall exercise his powers subject to the superintendence, control and

direction of the Board of directors.

(1A) Where a chairman is appointed on a part-time basis,—

(i) such appointment shall be with the previous approval of the Reserve Bank and be subject to

such conditions as the Reserve Bank may specify while giving such approval;

(ii) the management of the whole of the affairs of such banking company shall be entrusted to a

managing director who shall exercise his powers subject to the superintendence, control and
direction of the Board of directors.]
(2) [2][Every chairman of the Board of directors who is appointed on a whole-time basis and every

managing director] of a banking company shall be in the whole time employment of such company and
shall hold office for such period, not exceeding five years, as the Board of directors may fix, but shall,
subject to the provisions of this section, be eligible for re-election or re-appointment:

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be construed as prohibiting a chairman from being a

director of a subsidiary of the banking company or a director of a company registered under section 25
of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956).

(3) Every person holding office on the commencement of section 3 of the Banking Laws

(Amendment) Act, 1968 (58 of 1968), as managing director of a banking company shall—

(a) if there is a chairman of its Board of directors, vacate office on such commencement, or
(b) if there is no chairman of its Board of directors, vacate office on the date on which the

chairman of its Board of directors is elected or appointed in accordance with the provisions of this
section.
(4) [3][Every chairman who is appointed on a whole-time basis and every managing director of a

banking company appointed under sub-section (1A)] shall be a person who has special knowledge and
practical experience of—

(a) the working of a banking company, or of the State Bank of India or any subsidiary bank or a

financial institution, or

1. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 2, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “Every chairman of the Board of directors” (w.e.f. 31-1-1984).
3. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “Every chairman of the Board of directors of a banking company” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).

15


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(b) financial, economic or business administration:

Provided that a person shall be disqualified for being a [1][chairman who is appointed on a

whole-time basis or a managing director] if he—

(a) is a director of any company other than a company referred to in the proviso to

sub-section (2), or

(b) is a partner of any firm which carries on any trade, business or industry, or

(c) has substantial interest in any other company or firm, or

(d) is a director, manager, managing agent, partner or proprietor of any trading, commercial or

industrial concern, or

(e) is engaged in any other business or vocation.

(5) [2][A chairman of the Board of directors appointed on a whole-time basis or a managing director]

of a banking company may, by writing, under his hand addressed to the company, resign his office,
3***

4[(5A) 2[A chairman of the Board of directors appoint on a whole-time basis or a managing director]

whose term of office has come to an end, either by reason of his resignation or by reason of expiry of
the period of his office, shall, subject to the approval of the Reserve Bank, continue in office until his
successor assumes office.]

(6) Without prejudice to the provisions of section 36AA, where the Reserve Bank is of opinion that

any person who is, or has been elected to be, the [5][chairman of the Board of directors who is appointed
on a whole-time basis or the managing director] of a banking company is not a fit and proper person to
hold such office, it may, after giving to such person and to the banking company a reasonable
opportunity of being heard, by order in writing, require the banking company to elect or appoint any
other person as the [6][chairman of the Board of directors who is appointed on a whole-time basis or the
managing director] and if, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of such order, the
banking company fails to elect or appoint a suitable person as the [6][chairman of the Board of directors
who is appointed on a whole-time basis or the managing director] the Reserve Bank may, by order,
remove the first-mentioned person from the office of the [5][chairman of the Board of directors who is
appointed on a whole-time basis or the managing director] of the banking company and appoint a
suitable person in his place whereupon the person so appointed shall be deemed to have been duly
elected or appointed, as the case may be, as the [5][chairman of the Board of directors who is appointed
on a whole-time basis or the managing director] of such banking company and any persons elected or
7[appointed as chairman on a whole-time basis or managing director] under this sub-section shall hold
office for the residue of the period of office of the person is whose place he has been so elected or
appointed.

(7) The banking company and any person against whom an order of removal is made under

sub-section (6) may, within thirty days from the date of communication to it or to him of the order,
prefer an appeal to the Central Government and the decision of the Central Government thereon, and
subject thereto, the order made by the Reserve Bank under sub-section (6), shall be final and shall not
be called into question in any court.

1. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 2, for “chairman” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “A chairman of the Board of directors” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
3. The words “but shall continue in office until his successor assumes office” omitted by Act 1 of 1984, s. 17

(w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

4. Ins. by s. 17, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
5. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 2, for “chairman of the Board of directors” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
6. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “chairman of its Board of directors” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
7. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “appointed as chairman” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).

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(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Reserve Bank may, if in its opinion it is

necessary in the public interest so to do, permit [1][the chairman of the Board of directors who is
appointed on a whole-time basis or the managing director] to undertake such part-time honorary work
as is not likely to interfere with his duties as [2][such chairman or managing director].

(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, where a person [3][appointed on a

whole-time basis, as chairman of the Board of directors or managing director] dies or resigns or is by
infirmity or otherwise rendered incapable of carrying out his duties or is absent on leave or otherwise in
circumstances not involving the vacation of his office, the banking company may, with the approval of
the Reserve Bank, make suitable arrangements for carrying out the [4][duties of chairman or managing
director] for a total period not exceeding four months.

5[10BB. Power of Reserve Bank to appoint 6[chairman of the Board of directors appointed on

**a whole-time basis or a managing director] of a banking company.—(1) Where the office of the**
6[chairman of the Board of directors appointed on a whole-time basis or a managing director] of a
banking company is vacant, the Reserve Bank may, if it is of opinion that the continuation of such
vacancy is likely to adversely affect the interests of the banking company, appoint a person, eligible
under sub-section (4) of section 10B to be so appointed, to be the [6][chairman of the Board of directors
appointed on a whole-time basis or a managing director] of the banking company and where the person
so appointed is not a director of such banking company, he shall, so long as he holds the office of the
6[chairman of the Board of directors appointed on a whole-time basis or a managing director], be
deemed to be a director of the banking company.

(2) The [6][chairman of the Board of directors appointed on a whole-time basis or a managing

director] so appointed by the Reserve Bank shall be in the whole-time employment of the banking
company and shall hold office for such period not exceeding three years, as the Reserve Bank may
specify, but shall, subject to other provisions of this Act, be a eligible for reappointment.

(3) The [6][chairman of the Board of directors appointed on a whole-time basis or a managing

director] so appointed by the Reserve Bank shall draw from the banking company such pay and
allowances as the Reserve Bank may determine and may be removed from office only by the Reserve
Bank.

(4) Save as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of section 10B shall, as far as may be,

apply to the [6][chairman of the Board of directors appointed on a whole-time basis or a managing
director] appointed by the Reserve Bank under sub-section (1) as they apply to a [6][chairman of the
Board of directors appointed on a whole- time basis or a managing director] appointed by the banking
company].

7[10C. Chairman and certain directors not to be required to hold qualification shares.—8[A

chairman of the Board of directors who is appointed on a whole-time basis or a managing director] of a
banking company (by whomsoever appointed) and a director of a banking company (appointed by the
Reserve Bank under section 10A) shall not be required to hold qualification shares in the banking
company.]

1. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 2, for “the chairman” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “such chairman” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
3. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “appointed as chairman” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
4. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “duties as chairman” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
5. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 18 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
6. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 3, for “chairman” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
7. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 19, for section 10C (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
8. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 4, for “A chairman” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).

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**10D. Provisions of sections 10A, 10B and 10BB to override all other laws, contracts,**

**etc.— Any appointment or removal of a [1][director, chairman of the Board of directors who is appointed**
on a whole-time basis or managing director] in pursuance of section 10A or section 10B [2][or section
10BB] shall have effect and any such person shall not be entitled to claim any compensation for the loss
or termination of office, notwithstanding anything contained in any law or in any contract,
memorandum or articles of association.]

**11. Requirement as to minimum paid-up capital and reserves.—(1) Notwithstanding anything**

contained in [3][section 149 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)], no banking company in existence
on the commencement of this Act, shall, after the expiry of three years from such commencement or of
such further period not exceeding one year as the Reserve Bank, having regard to the interests of the
depositors of the company, may think fit in any particular case to allow, carry on business [4][in India],
and no other banking company shall after the commencement of this Act, commence or carry on
business [4][in India], [5][unless it complies with such of the requirements of this section as are applicable
to it].

6[(2) In the case of a banking company incorporated outside India—

(a) the aggregate value of its paid-up capital and reserves shall not be less than fifteen lakhs of

rupees and if it has a place or places of business in the city of Bombay or Calcutta or both, twenty
lakhs of rupees; and

(b) [7][the banking company shall deposit and keep deposited with the Reserve Bank either in

cash or in the form of unencumbered approved securities, or partly in cash and partly in the form of
such securities—

(i) an amount which shall not be less than the minimum required by clause (a); and

(ii) as soon as may be after the expiration of each [8]*** year, an amount calculated at twenty

per cent. of its profit for that year in respect of all business transacted through its branches in
India, as disclosed in the profit and loss account prepared with reference to that year under
section 29:]

Provided that any such banking company may at any time replace—

(i) any securities so deposited by cash or by any other unencumbered approved securities, or

partly by cash and partly by other such securities, so however, that the total amount deposited is not
affected;

(ii) any cash so deposited by unencumbered approved securities of an equal value.]

9[(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the Central Government may, on the

recommendation of the Reserve Bank, and having regard to the adequacy of the amounts already
deposited and kept deposited by a banking company under sub-section (2), in relation to its deposit
liabilities in India, declare by order in writing that the provisions of sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of
sub-section (2) shall not apply to such banking company for such period as may be specified in the
order.]

1. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 5, for “director or chairman” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
2. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 20 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “section 103 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)” (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
4. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “in any State” (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
5. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 7, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-10- 1959).
6. Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
7. Subs. by Act 36 of 1962, s. 2, for certain words (w.e.f. 16-9-1962).
8. The word “calendar” omitted by Act 66 of 1988, s. 7 (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).
9. Ins. by Act 36 of 1962, s. 2 (w.e.f. 16-9-1962).

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(3) In the case of any banking company to which the provisions of sub-section (2) do not apply, the

aggregate value of its paid-up capital and reserves shall not be less than—

(i) if it has places of business in more than one State, five lakhs of rupees, and if any such place

or places of business is or are situated in the city of Bombay or Calcutta or both, ten lakhs of
rupees;

(ii) if it has all its places of business in one State none of which is situated in the city of

Bombay or Calcutta, one lakh of rupees in respect of its principal place of business, plus ten
thousand rupees in respect of each of its other places of business situated in the same district in
which it has its principal place of business, plus twenty-five thousand rupees in respect of each
place of business situated elsewhere in the State otherwise than in the same district:

Provided that no banking company to which this clause applies shall be required to have paid
up capital and reserves exceeding an aggregated value of five lakhs of rupees:

Provided further that no banking company to which this clause applies and which has only one

place of business shall be required to have paid-up capital and reserves exceeding an aggregate
value of fifty thousand rupees:

1[Provided further that in the case of every banking company to which this clause applies and

which commences banking business for the first time after the commencement of the Banking
Companies (Amendment) Act, 1962 (36 of 1962), the value of its paid-up capital shall not be less
than five lakhs of rupees;]

(iii) if it has all its places of business in one State, one or more of which is or are situated in the

city of Bombay or Calcutta, five lakhs of rupees, plus twenty-five thousand rupees in respect of
each place of business situated outside the city of Bombay or Calcutta, as the case may be:

Provided that no banking company to which this clause applies shall be required to have

paid-up capital and reserves exceeding an aggregate value of ten lakhs of rupees.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, a place of business situated_ [2][in a State] other

than that in which the principal place of business of the banking company is situated shall, if it is not
more than twenty-five miles distant from such principal place of business, be deemed to be situated
within the same State as such principal place of business.

(4) Any amount deposited and kept deposited with the Reserve Bank under [3]*** sub-section (2) by

any banking company incorporated [4][outside India] shall, in the event of the company ceasing for any
reason to carry on banking business [5][in India], be an asset of the company on which the claims of all
the creditors of the company [5][in India] shall be a first charge.

6[(5) For the purposes of this section,—

(a) “place of business” means any office, sub-office, sub- pay office and any place of business

at which deposits are received, cheques cashed or moneys lent;

(b) “value” means the real or exchangeable value, and not the nominal value which may be

shown in the books of the banking company concerned.]

(6) If any dispute arises in computing the aggregate value of the paid-up capital and reserves of any

banking company, a determination thereof by the Reserve Bank shall be final for the purposes of this
section.

1. Ins. by Act 36 of 1962, s. 2 (w.e.f. 16-9-1962).
2. Subs. by Act 62 of 1956, s. 2 and Sch., for “in India” (w.e.f. 1- 11-1956).
3. The words “the proviso to” omitted by Act 33 of 1959, s. 7 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
4. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “elsewhere than in a State” (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
5. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “in the States”(w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
6. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 7, for sub-section (5) (w.e.f. 1-10- 1959).

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1[12. Regulation of paid-up capital, subscribed capital and authorised capital and voting

**rights of shareholders.— (1) No banking company shall carry on business in India, unless it satisfies**
the following conditions, namely:—

(i) that the subscribed capital of the company is not less than one-half of the authorised capital,

and the paid- up capital is not less than one-half of the subscribed capital and that, if the capital is
increased, it complies with the conditions prescribed in this clause within such period not exceeding
two years as the Reserve Bank may allow;

2[(ii) that, notwithstanding anything contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), the

capital of such banking company consists of—

(a) equity shares only; or

(b) equity shares and preferences shares:

Provided that the issue of preference share shall be in accordance with the guidelines

framed by the Reserve Bank specifying the class of preference shares, the extent of issue of
each class of such preference shares (whether perpetual or irredeemable or redeemable), and the
terms and conditions subject to which each class of preference shares may be issued:

Provided further that no holder of the preference share, issued by the company, shall be

entitled to exercise the voting right specified in clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 87 of the
Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);]

3*  -  -  -  
(2) No person holding shares in a banking company shall, in respect of any shares held by him,

exercise voting rights [4][on poll] [5][in excess of [6][ten per cent]] of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of the banking company:

7[Provided that the Reserve Bank may increase, in a phased manner, such ceiling on voting rights

from ten per cent. to twenty-six per cent.]

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force or in any contract or

instrument no suit or other proceeding shall be maintained against any person registered as the holder of
a share in a banking company on the ground that the title to the said share vests in a person other than
the registered holder:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall bar a suit or other proceeding—

(a) by a transferee of the share on the ground that he has obtained from the registered holder a

transfer of the share in accordance with any law relating to such transfer; or

(b) on behalf of a minor or a lunatic on the ground that the registered holder holds the share on

behalf of the minor or lunatic.

(4) Every chairman, managing director or chief executive officer by whatever name called of a

banking company shall furnish to the Reserve Bank through that banking company returns containing
full particulars of the extent and value of his holding of shares, whether directly or indirectly, in the
banking company and of any change in the extent of such holding or any variation in the rights
attaching thereto and such other information relating to those shares as the Reserve Bank may, by order,
require and in such form and at such time as may be specified in the order.]

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 3, for section 12 (w.e.f. 14- 1-1957).
2. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 3, for clause (ii) (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
3. The proviso omitted by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
4. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 8 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
5. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 9, for “in excess of five per cent.” (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
6. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 6, for “one per cent.” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
7. Ins. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 3 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).

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1[12A. Election of new directors.—(1) The Reserve Bank may, by order, require any banking

company to call a general meeting of the share holders of the company within such time, not less than
two months from the date of the order, as may be specified in the order or within such further time as
the Reserve Bank may allow in this behalf, to elect in accordance with the voting rights permissible
under this Act fresh directors, and the banking company shall be bound to comply with the order.

(2) Every director elected under sub-section (1) shall hold office until the date up to which his

predecessor would have held office, if the election had not been held.

(3) Any election duly held under this section shall not be called in question in any court.]

2[12B. Regulation of acquisition of shares or voting rights.—(1) No person (hereinafter referred

to as “the applicant”) shall, except with the previous approval of the Reserve Bank, on an application
being made, acquire or agree to acquire, directly or indirectly, by himself or acting in concert with any
other person, shares of a banking company or voting rights therein, which acquisition taken together
with shares and voting rights, if any, held by him or his relative or associate enterprise or person acting
in concert with him, makes the applicant to hold five per cent. or more of the paid-up share capital of
such banking company or entitles him to exercise five per cent. or more of the voting rights in such
banking company.

_Explanation 1.—For the purposes of this sub-section,—_

(a) “associate enterprise” means a company, whether incorporated or not, which,—

(i) is a holding company or a subsidiary company of the applicant; or

(ii) is a joint venture of the applicant; or

(iii) controls the composition of the Board of Directors or other body governing the

applicant; or

(iv) exercises, in the opinion of the Reserve Bank, significant influence on the applicant in

taking financial or policy decisions; or

(v) is able to obtain economic benefits from the activities of the applicant;

(b) “relative” shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 6 of the Companies Act, 1956

(1 of 1956);

(c) persons shall be deemed to be “acting in concert” who, for a common objective or purpose

of acquisition of shares or voting rights in excess of the percentage mentioned in this sub-section,
pursuant to an agreement or understanding (formal or informal), directly or indirectly cooperate by
acquiring or agreeing to acquire shares or voting rights in the banking company.

_Explanation 2.—For the purposes of this Act, joint venture means a legal entity in the nature of a_

partnership engaged in the joint undertaking of a particular transaction for mutual profit or an
association of persons or companies jointly undertaking some commercial enterprise wherein all
contribute assets and share risks.

(2) An approval under sub-section (1) may be granted by the Reserve Bank if it is satisfied that—

(a) in the public interest; or

(b) in the interest of banking policy; or

(c) to prevent the affairs of any banking company being conducted in a manner detrimental or

prejudicial to the interests of the banking company; or

(d) in view of the emerging trends in banking and international best practices; or

1. Ins. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 4 (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
2. Ins. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 4 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).

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(e) in the interest of the banking and financial system in India,

the applicant is a fit and proper person to acquire shares or voting rights:

Provided that the Reserve Bank may call for such information from the applicant as it may deem

necessary for considering the application referred to in sub-section (1):

Provided further that the Reserve Bank may specify different criteria for acquisition of shares or

voting rights in different percentages.

(3) Where the acquisition is by way of transfer of shares of a banking company and the Reserve

Bank is satisfied that such transfer should not be permitted, it may, by order, direct that no such share
shall be transferred to the proposed transferee and may further direct the banking company not to give
effect to the transfer of shares and in case the transfer has been registered, the transferee shall not be
entitled to exercise voting rights on poll in any of the meetings of the banking company.

(4) The approval for acquisition of shares may be subject to such conditions as the Reserve Bank

may deem fit to impose, including a condition that any further acquisition of shares shall require prior
approval of the Reserve Bank and that the applicant continues to be a fit and proper person to hold the
shares or voting rights.

(5) Before issuing or allotting any share to any person or registering the transfer of shares in the

name of any person, the banking company shall ensure that the requirements of sub-section (1) are
complied with by that person and where the acquisition is with the approval of the Reserve Bank, the
banking company shall further ensure that the conditions imposed under sub-section (4), if any, of such
approval are fulfilled.

(6) The decision of the Reserve Bank on the application made under sub-section (1) shall be taken

within a period of ninety days from the date of receipt of the application by the Reserve Bank:

Provided that in computing the period of ninety days, the period taken by the applicant for

furnishing the information called for by the Reserve Bank shall be excluded.

(7) The Reserve Bank may specify the minimum percentage of shares to be acquired in a banking

company if it considers that the purpose for which the shares are proposed to be acquired by the
applicant warrants such minimum shareholding.

(8) The Reserve Bank may, if it is satisfied that any person or persons acting in concert with him

holding shares or voting rights in excess of five per cent. of the total voting rights of all the shareholders
of the banking company, are not fit and proper to hold such shares or voting rights, pass an order
directing that such person or persons acting in concert with him shall not, in the aggregate, exercise
voting rights on poll in excess of five per cent. of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of the
banking company:

Provided that the Reserve Bank shall not pass any such order without giving an opportunity of

being heard to such person or persons acting in concert with him.]

**13. Restriction on commission, brokerage, discount, etc., on sale of shares.—Notwithstanding**

anything to the contrary contained in [1][sections 76 and 79 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)], no
banking company shall pay out directly or indirectly by way of commission, brokerage, discount or
remuneration in any form in respect of any shares issued by it, any amount exceeding in the aggregate
two and one-half per cent. of the [2][price at which the said shares are issued].

3[Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the expression “price at which

the said shares are issued” shall include amount or value of premium on such shares.]

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and Sch. I, for “sections 105 and 105A of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

2. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 5, for “paid-up value of the said shares” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
3. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).

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**14. Prohibition of charge on unpaid capital.—No banking company shall create any charge upon**

any unpaid capital of the company, and any such charge shall be invalid.

1[14A. Prohibition of floating charge on assets.— (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in

section 6, no banking company shall create a floating charge on the undertaking or any property of the
company or any part thereof, unless the creation of such floating charge is certified in writing by the
Reserve Bank as not being detrimental to the interests of the depositors of such company.

(2) Any such charge created without obtaining the certificate of the Reserve Bank shall be invalid.

(3) Any banking company aggrieved by the refusal of a certificate under sub-section (1) may,

within ninety days from the date on which such refusal is communicated to it, appeal to the Central
Government.

(4) The decision of the Central Government where an appeal has been perferred to it under sub
section (3) or of the Reserve Bank where no such appeal has been preferred shall be final.]

**15.** **Restrictions as to payment of dividend.—[2][(1)] No banking company shall pay any dividend**

on its shares until all its capitalised expenses (including preliminary expenses, organisation expenses,
share-selling commission, brokerage, amounts of losses incurred and any other item of expenditure not
represented by tangible assets) have been completely written off.

3[(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in sub- section (1) or in the Companies

Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), a banking company may pay dividends on its shares without writing off—

(i) the depreciation, if any, in the value of its investments in approved securities in any case

where such depreciation has not actually been capitalised or otherwise accounted for as a loss;

(ii) the depreciation, if any, in the value of its investments in shares, debentures or bonds (other

than approved securities) in any case where adequate provision for such depreciation has been
made to the satisfaction of the auditor of the banking company;

(iii) the bad debts, if any, in any case where adequate provision for such debts has been made to

the satisfaction of the auditor of the banking company.]

4[16. Prohibition of common directors.—5[(1) No banking company incorporated in India shall

have as a director in its Board of directors any person who is a director of any other banking company.

(1A) No banking company referred to in sub-section (1) shall have in its Board of directors, more

than three directors who are directors of companies which among themselves are entitled to exercise
voting rights in excess of twenty per cent.of the total voting rights of all the shareholders to that
banking company.]

(2) If immediately before the commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1956

(95 of 1956), any person holding office as a director of a banking company is also a director of
companies which among themselves are entitled to exercise voting rights in excess of twenty per cent.
of the total voting rights of all the share-holders of the banking company, he shall, within such period
from such commencement as the Reserve Bank may specify in this behalf—

(a) either resign his office as a director of the banking company; or
(b) choose such number of companies as among themselves are not entitled to exercise voting

rights in excess of twenty per cent. of the total voting rights of all the share-holders of the banking

1. Ins. by Act 33 of l959, s. 9 (w.e.f. 1.10.1959).
2. S. 15 was re-numbered as sub-section (1) of that section by s. 10, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
3. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 10 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
4. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 5, for s. 16 (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
5. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 7, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).

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company as companies in which he wishes to continue to hold the office of a director and resign his
office as a director in the other companies.]
1[(3) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall apply to, or in relation to, any director appointed by the

Reserve Bank.]

2[17. Reserve Fund.—(1) Every banking company incorporated in India shall create a reserve fund

and [3]*** shall, out of the balance of profit of each year as disclosed in the profit and loss account
prepared under section 29 and before any dividend is declared, transfer to the reserve fund a sum
equivalent to not less than twenty per cent. of such profit.

4[(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government may, on the

recommendation of the Reserve Bank and having regard to the adequacy of the paid-up capital and
reserves of a banking company in relation to its deposit liabilities, declare by order in writing that the
provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply to the banking company for such period as may be
specified in the order:

Provided that no such order shall be made unless, at the time it is made, the amount in the reserve

fund under sub-section (1), together with the amount in the share premium account is not less than the
paid-up capital of the banking company.]

(2) Where a banking company appropriates any sum or sums from the reserve fund or the share

premium account, it shall, within twenty-one days from the date of such appropriation, report the fact to
the Reserve Bank, explaining the circumstances relating to such appropriation:

Provided that the Reserve Bank may, in any particular case, extend the said period of twenty-one

days by such period as it thinks fit or condone any delay in the making of such report.

5[18. Cash reserve.—(1) Every banking company, not being a scheduled bank, 6[shall maintain in

India on a daily basis] by way of cash reserve with itself or by way of balance in a current account with
the Reserve Bank, or by way of net balance in current accounts or in one or more of the aforesaid ways,
a sum equivalent to [7][such per cent.] of the total of its demand and time liabilities in India as on the last
Friday of the second preceding fortnight [8][as the Reserve Bank may specify, by notification in the
Official Gazette, from time to time, having regard to the needs of securing the monetary stability in the
country] and shall submit to the Reserve Bank before the twentieth day of every month a return
showing the amount so held on alternate Fridays during a month with particulars of its demand and time
liabilities in India on such Fridays or if any such Friday is a public holiday under the Negotiable
Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881), at the close of business on the preceding working day.

_Explanation.—In this section, and in section 24,—_

(a) “liabilities in India” shall not include—

(i) the paid-up capital or the reserves or any credit balance in the profit and loss account of

the banking company;

(ii) any advance taken from the Reserve Bank [9]*** or from the Exim Bank [10][or from the

Reconstruction Bank [11][or from the National Housing Bank]] or from the National Bank [12][, or
from the small Industries Bank,[13][or from the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and
Development or from the other development financial institution]] by the banking company;

1. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
2. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 11, for ss. 17 and 18 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
3. Certain words omitted by Act 36 of 1962, s. 3 (w.e.f. 16-9-1962).
4. Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 16-9-1962).
5. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 21, for section 18 (w.e.f. 29-3-1985).
6. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 6, for “shall maintain in India” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
7. Subs. by s. 6, ibid., for “at least three per cent.” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
8. Ins. by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
9. The words “or from the Development Bank” omitted by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
10. Ins. by Act 62 of 1984, s. 71 and the Third Schedule (w.e.f. 20-3-1985).
11. Ins. by Act 53 of 1987, s. 56 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 9-7-1988).
12. Ins. by Act 39 of 1989, s. 53 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 7-3-1990).
13. Ins. by Act 17 of 2021, s. 48 and the third Schedule (w.e.f. 19-4-2021).

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(iii) in the case of a Regional Rural Bank, also any loan taken by such bank from its

Sponsor Bank;

(b) “fortnight” shall mean the period from Saturday to the second following Friday, both days

inclusive;

(c) “net balance in current accounts” shall, in relation to a banking company, mean the excess,

if any, of the aggregate of the credit balances in current account maintained by that banking
company with the State Bank of India or a subsidiary bank or a corresponding new bank over the
aggregate of the credit balances in current account held by the said banks with such banking
company;

(d) for the purposes of computation of liabilities, the aggregate of the liabilities of a banking

company to the State Bank of India, a subsidiary bank, a corresponding new bank, a regional rural
bank, another banking company, a co-operative bank or any other financial institution notified by
the Central Government in this behalf, shall be reduce by the aggregate of the liabilities of all such
banks institutions to the banking company;

(e) the expression “co-operative bank” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (cci) of

section 56.

1[(1A) If the balance held by such banking company at the close of business on any day is

below the minimum specified under sub-section (1), such banking company shall, without prejudice
to the provisions of any other law for the time being in force, be liable to pay to the Reserve Bank,
in respect of that day, penal interest at a rate of three per cent. above the bank rate on the amount by
which such balance falls short of the specified minimum, and if the shortfall continues further, the
penal interest so charged shall be increased to a rate of five per cent. above the bank rate in respect
of each subsequent day during which the default continues.

(1B) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, if the Reserve Bank, is satisfied, on an

application in writing by the defaulting banking company, that such defaulting banking company
had sufficient cause for its failure to company with the provisions of sub-section (1), it may not
demand the payment of the penal interest.

(1C) The Reserve Bank may, for such period and subject to such conditions as may be

specified, grant to any banking company such exemptions from the provisions of this section as it
thinks fit with reference to all or any of its offices or with reference to the whole or any part of its
assets and liabilities.]

(2) The Reserve Bank may, for the purposes of this section and section 24, specify from time to

time, with reference to any transaction or class of transactions, that such transaction or transactions
shall be regarded as liability in India of a banking company and, if any question arises as to whether
any transaction or class of transactions shall be regarded for the purposes of this section and section
24 as liability in India of a banking company, the decision of the Reserve Bank thereon shall be
final.]

**19. Restriction on nature of subsidiary companies.—[2][(1) A banking company shall not form**

any subsidiary company except a subsidiary company formed for one or more of the following
purposes, namely:—

(a) the undertaking of any business which, under clauses (a) to (o) of sub-section (1) of section

6, is permissible for a banking company to undertake, or

1. Ins. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 6 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 22, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

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(b) with the previous permission in writing of the Reserve Bank, the carrying on of the business

of banking exclusively outside India, or

(c) the undertaking of such other business, which the Reserve Bank may, with the prior

approval of the Central Government, consider to be conducive to the spread of banking in India or
to be otherwise useful or necessary in the public interest.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of section 8, a banking company shall not be deemed, by_

reason of its forming or having a subsidiary company, to be engaged indirectly in the business
carried on by such subsidiary company.]

(2) Save as provided in sub-section (1), no banking company shall hold shares in any company,

whether as pledgee, mortgagee or absolute owner, of an amount exceeding thirty per cent. of the
paid-up share capital of that company or thirty per cent. of its own paid-up share capital and
reserves, whichever is less:

Provided that any banking company which is on the date of the commencement of this Act

holding any shares in contravention of the provisions of this sub-section shall not be liable to any
penalty therefor if it reports the matter without delay to the Reserve Bank and if it brings its holding
of shares into conformity with the said provisions within such period, not exceeding two years, as
the Reserve Bank may think fit to allow.

(3) Save as provided in sub-section (1) and notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section

(2), a banking company shall not, after the expiry of one year from the date of the commencement
of this Act, hold shares, whether as pledgee, mortgagee or absolute owner, in any company in the
management of which any managing director or manager of the banking company is in any manner
concerned or interested.

1[(4) Save as provided in clause (c) of sub-section (1), a banking company may form a

subsidiary company to carry on the business of credit information in accordance with the Credit
Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (30 of 2005)]

2[20. Restrictions on loans and advances.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary

contained in section 77 of the Companies Act, 1956, (1 of 1956) no banking company shall,—

(a) grant any loans or advances on the security of its own shares, or

(b) enter into any commitment for granting any loan or advance to or on behalf of—

(i) any of its directors,

(ii) any firm in which any of its directors is interested as partner, manager, employee or

guarantor, or

(iii) any company (not being a subsidiary of the banking company or a company registered

under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), or a Government company) of which
3[, or the subsidiary or the holding company of which] any of the directors of the banking
company is a director, managing agent, manager, employee or guarantor or in which he holds
substantial interest, or

(iv) any individual in respect of whom any of its directors is a partner or guarantor.

(2) Where any loan or advance granted by a banking company is such that a commitment for

granting it could not have been made if clause (b) of sub-section (1) had been in force on the date on
which the loan or advance was made, or is granted by a banking company after the commencement of
section 5 of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 1968 (58 of 1968), but in pursuance of a commitment
entered into before such commencement, steps shall be taken to recover the amounts due to the banking

1. Ins. by Act 30 of 2005, s. 34 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 14-12-2006).
2. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 5, for section 20 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
3. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 23 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

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company on account of the loan or advance together with interest, if any, due thereon within the period
stipulated at the time of the grant of the loan or advance, or where no such period has been stipulated,
before the expiry of one year from the commencement of the said section 5:

Provided that the Reserve Bank may, in any case, on an application in writing made to it by the

banking company in this behalf, extend the period for the recovery of the loan or advance until such
date, not being a date beyond the period of three years from the commencement of the said section 5,
and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Reserve Bank may deem fit:

Provided further that this sub-section shall not apply if and when the director concerned vacates the

office of the director of the banking company, whether by death, retirement, resignation or otherwise.

(3) No loan or advance, referred to in sub-section (2), or any part thereof shall be remitted without

the previous approval of the Reserve Bank, and any remission without such approval shall be void and
of no effect.

(4) Where any loan or advance referred to in sub-section (2), payable by any person, has not been

repaid to the banking company within the period specified in that sub-section, then, such person shall, if
he is a director of such banking company on the date of the expiry of the said period, be deemed to have
vacated his office as such on the said date.

_Explanation.—In this section—_

(a) “loans or advance” shall not include any transaction which the Reserve Bank may, having

regard to the nature of the transaction, the period within which, and the manner and circumstances
in which, any amount due on account of the transaction is likely to be realised, the interest of the
depositors and other relevant considerations, specify by general or special order as not being a loan
or advance for the purpose of this section;

(b) “director” includes a member of any board or committee in India constituted by a banking

company for the purpose of managing, or for the purpose of advising it in regard to the
management of, all or any of its affairs.

(5) If any question arises whether any transaction is a loan or advance for the purposes of this

section, it shall be referred to the Reserve Bank, whose decision thereon shall be final.]

1[20A. Restrictions on power to remit debts.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary

contained in section 293 of the Companies Act, 1956, (1 of 1956) a banking company shall not, except
with the prior approval of the Reserve Bank, remit in whole or in part any debt due to it by—

(a) any of its directors, or

(b) any firm or company in which any of its directors is interested as director, partner,

managing agent or guarantor, or

(c) any individual if any of its directors is his partner or guarantor.

(2) Any remission made in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be void and of

no effect.]

**21. Power of Reserve Bank to control advances by banking companies.—(1) Where the Reserve**

Bank is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient in the public interest [2][or in the interests of
depositors] [3][or banking policy] so to do, it may determine the policy in relation to advances to be
followed by banking companies generally or by any banking company in particular, and when the

1. Ins. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 12 (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
2. Ins. by s.13, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
3. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).

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policy has been so determined, all banking companies or the banking company concerned, as the case
may be, shall be bound to follow the policy as so determined.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power vested in the Reserve Bank under sub-section

(1), the Reserve Bank may give directions to banking companies, either generally or to any banking
company or group of banking companies in particular, [1][as to—

(a) the purposes for which advances may or may not be made,

(b) the margins to be maintained in respect of secured advances,

(c) the maximum amount of advances or other financial accommodation which, having regard

to the paid-up capital, reserves and deposits of a banking company and other relevant
considerations, may be made by that banking company to any one company, firm, association of
persons or individual,

(d) the maximum amount up to which, having regard to the considerations referred to in clause

(c), guarantees may be given by a banking company on behalf of any one company, firm,
association of persons or individual, and

(e) the rate of interest and other terms and conditions on which advances or other financial

accommodation may be made or guarantees may be given.]

2[(3) Every banking company shall be bound to comply with any directions given to it under this
section.]

[3][21A. Rates of interest charged by banking companies not to be subject to scrutiny by

**courts.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the Usurious Loans Act, 1918 (10 of 1918), or any**
other law relating to indebtedness in force in any State, a transaction between a banking company and
its debtor shall not be re-opened by any Court on the ground that the rate of interest charged by the
banking company in respect of such transaction is excessive.]

**22. Licensing of banking companies.—[4][(1) Save as hereinafter provided, no company shall carry**

on banking business in India unless it holds a licence issued in that behalf by the Reserve Bank and any
such licence may be issued subject to such conditions as the Reserve Bank may think fit to impose.]

(2) Every banking company in existence on the commencement of this Act, before the expiry of six

months from such commencement, and every other company before commencing banking business [5][in
India], shall apply in writing to the Reserve Bank for a licence under this section:

Provided that in the case of a banking company in existence on the commencement of this Act,

nothing in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to prohibit the company from carrying on banking business
until it is granted a licence in pursuance of [6][this section] or is by notice in writing informed by the
Reserve Bank that a licence cannot be granted to it:

Provided further that the Reserve Bank shall not give a notice as aforesaid to a banking company in

existence on the commencement of this Act before the expiry of the three years referred to in subsection (1) of section 11 or of such further period as the Reserve Bank may under that sub-section think
fit to allow.

1. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 13, for certain words (w.e.f. 1.2.1964).
2. Ins. by s. 13, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
3. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984 s. 24 (w.e.f. 15.2.1984).
4. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 13, for “sub-section (1)” (w.e.f. 1- 10-1959).
5. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “in any State” (w.e.f.18-3-1950).
6. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 13, for “sub-section (2)” (w.e.f. 1- 10-1959).

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(3) Before granting any licence under this section, the Reserve Bank may require to be satisfied by

an inspection of the books of the company or otherwise that [1]*** the following conditions are fulfilled,
namely:—

2[(a) that the company is or will be in a position to pay its present or future depositors in full as

their claims accrue;

(b) that the affairs of the company are not being, or are not likely to be conducted in a manner

detrimental to the interests of its present or future depositors;]

[3][(c) that the general character of the proposed management of the company will not be

prejudicial to the public interest or the interest of its depositors;

(d) that the company has adequate capital structure and earning prospects;

(e) that the public interest will be served by the grant of a licence to the company to carry on

banking business in India;

(f) that having regard to the banking facilities available in the proposed principal area of

operations of the company, the potential scope for expansion of banks already in existence in the
area and other relevant factors the grant of the licence would not be prejudicial to the operation and
consolidation of the banking system consistent with monetary stability and economic growth;

(g) any other condition, the fulfilment of which would, in the opinion of the Reserve Bank, be

necessary to ensure that the carrying on of banking business in India by the company will not be
prejudicial to the public interest or the interests of the depositors.]

4[(3A) Before granting any licence under this section to a company incorporated outside India, the

Reserve Bank may require to be satisfied by an inspection of the books of the company or otherwise
that the conditions specified in sub-section (3) are fulfilled and that the carrying on of banking business
by such company in India will be in the public interest and that the Government or law of the country in
which it is incorporated does not discriminate in any way against banking companies registered in India
and that the company complies with all the provisions of this Act applicable to banking companies
incorporated outside India.]

5[(4) The Reserve Bank may cancel a licence granted to a banking company under this section—

(i) if the company ceases to carry on banking business in India; or

(ii) if the company at any time fails to comply with any of the conditions imposed upon it under

sub-section (1); or

(iii) if at any time, any of the conditions referred to in sub-section (3) [4][and sub-section (3A)] is

not fulfilled:

Provided that before cancelling a licence under clause (ii) or clause (iii) of this sub-section on

the ground that the banking company has failed to comply with or has failed to fulfil any of the
conditions referred to therein, the Reserve Bank, unless it is of opinion that the delay will be
prejudicial to the interests of the company's depositors or the public, shall grant to the company on
such terms as it may specify, an opportunity of taking the necessary steps for complying with or
fulfilling such condition.

1. The words “all or any of” omitted by Act 1 of 1984, s. 25(w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
2. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959 s. 13, ibid., for clauses (a) and (b) (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
3. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 25, for clause (c) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
4. Ins. by s. 25, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
5. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 13, for sub-sections (4) and (5) (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).

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(5) Any banking company aggrieved by the decision of the Reserve Bank cancelling a licence

under this section may, within thirty days from the date on which such decision is communicated to
it, appeal to the Central Government.

(6) The decision of the Central Government where an appeal has been preferred to it under

sub-section (5) or of the Reserve Bank where no such appeal has been preferred shall be final.]

1[23. Restrictions on opening of new and transfer of existing, places of business.—(1) Without

obtaining the prior permission of the Reserve Bank—

(a) no banking company shall open a new place of business in India or change otherwise than

within the same city, town or village, the location of an existing place of business situated in India;
and

(b) no banking company incorporated in India shall open a new place of business outside India

or change, otherwise than within the same city, town or village in any country or area outside India,
the location of an existing place of business situated in that country or area:

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to the opening for a period not exceeding one

month of a temporary place of business within a city, town or village or the environs thereof within
which the banking company already has a place of business for the purpose of affording banking
facilities to the public on the occasion of an exhibition, a conference or a _mela or any other like_
occasion.

(2) Before granting any permission under this section, the Reserve Bank may require to be satisfied

by an inspection under section 35 or otherwise as to the financial condition and history of the company,
the general character of its management, the adequacy of its capital structure and earning prospects and
that public interest will be served by the opening or, as the case may be, change of location, of the place
of business.

(3) The Reserve Bank may grant permission under sub-section (1) subject to such conditions as it

may think fit to impose either generally or with reference to any particular case.

(4) Where, in the opinion of the Reserve Bank, a banking company has, at any time, failed to

comply with any of the conditions imposed on it under this section, the Reserve Bank may, by order in
writing and after affording reasonable opportunity to the banking company for showing cause against
the action proposed to be taken against it, revoke any permission granted under this section.

2[(4A) Any regional rural bank requiring the permission of the Reserve Bank under this section

shall forward its application to the Reserve Bank through the National Bank which shall give its
comments on the merits of the application and send it to the Reserve Bank:

Provided that the regional rural bank shall also send an advance copy of the application directly to

the Reserve Bank.]

(5) For the purposes of this section “place of business” includes any sub-office, pay office, sub-pay

office and any place of business at which deposits are received, cheques cashed or moneys lent.]

**24. Maintenance of a percentage of assets.—[3]***   -   -   -   
4[(2A) A scheduled bank, in addition to the average daily balance which it is, or may be, required to

maintain under section 42 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) and every other banking
company, in addition to the cash reserve which it is required to maintain under section 18, shall
maintain in India, assets, the value of which shall not be less than such percentage not exceeding forty
per cent. of the total of its demand and time liabilities in India as on the last Friday of the second

1. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 14, for section 23 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
2. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).
3. Omitted by Act 17 of 2007, s. 2 (w.e.f. 23-1-2007).
4. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for sub-section (2A) (w.e.f. 23-1-2007).

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preceding fortnight as the Reserve Bank may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify from time
to time and such assets shall be maintained, in such form and manner, as may be specified in such
notification.]

1*  -  -  -  
2[(3) For the purpose of ensuring compliance with the provisions of this section, every banking

company shall, not later than twenty days after the end of the month to which it relates, furnish to the
Reserve Bank in the prescribed form and manner a monthly return showing particulars of its assets
maintained in accordance with this section, and its demand and time liabilities in India at the close of
business on each alternate Friday during the month, or if any such Friday is a public holiday, at the
close of business on the preceding working day:

Provided that every Regional Rural Bank shall also furnish a copy of the said return to the National

Bank.

(4) (a) If on any alternate Friday or, if such Friday is a public holiday, on the preceding working

day, the amount maintained by a banking company at the close of business on that day falls below the
minimum prescribed by or under [3]*** sub-section (2A), such banking company shall be liable to pay to
the Reserve Bank in respect of that day's default, penal interest for that day at the rate of three per cent.
per annum above the bank rate on the amount by which the amount actually maintained falls short of
the prescribed minimum or that day; and

(b) if the default occurs again on the next succeeding alternate Friday, or, if such Friday is a public

holiday, on the preceding working day, and continues on succeeding alternate Fridays or preceding
working days, as the case may be, the rate of penal interest shall be increased to a rate of five per cent.
per annum above the bank rate on each such shortfall in respect of that alternate Friday and each
succeeding alternate Friday or preceding working day, if such Friday is a public holiday, on which the
default continues.

(5) (a) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3), the Reserve Bank may require a

banking company to furnish to it a return in the form and manner specified by it showing particulars of
its assets maintained in accordance with this section and its demand and time liabilities in India, as at
the close of business on each day of a month; and

(b) without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (4), on the failure of a banking company to

maintain as on any day, the amount so required to be maintained by or under [3]*** sub-section (2A) the
Reserve Bank may, in respect of such default, require the banking company to pay penal interest for
that day as provided in clause (a) of sub-section (4) and if the default continues on the next succeeding
working day, the penal interest may be increased as provided in clause (b) of sub-section (4) for the
concerned days.

(6) (a) The penalty payable under sub-section (4) and sub-section (5) shall be paid within a period

of fourteen days from the date on which a notice issued by the Reserve Bank demanding payment of the
same is served on the banking company and in the event of failure of the banking company to pay the
same within such period, the penalty may be levied by a direction of the principal civil court having
jurisdiction in the area where an office of the defaulting banking company is situated, such direction to
be made only upon an application made by the Reserve Bank in this behalf to the court; and

(b) when the court makes a direction under clause (a), it shall issue a certificate specifying the sum

payable by the banking company and every such certificate shall be enforceable in the same manner as
if it were a decree made by the court in a suit.

1. Omitted by Act 17 of 2007, s. 2 (w.e.f. 23-1-2007).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 26, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 29-3-1985).
3. The words, brackets and letter “clause (a) of” omitted by Act 4 of 2013, s. 7 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).

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(7) When under the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (4), penal interest at the increased rate of

five per cent. above the bank rate has become payable by a banking company, if thereafter the amount
required to be maintained on the next succeeding alternate Friday, or if such Friday is a public holiday,
the next preceding working day, is still below the prescribed minimum, every director, manager or
secretary of the banking company, who is knowingly and wilfully a party to the default, shall be
punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees and with a further fine which may
extend to five hundred rupees for each subsequent alternate Friday or the preceding working day, as the
case may be, on which the default continues.

(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, if the Reserve Bank is satisfied, on an

application in writing by the defaulting banking company, that the banking company had sufficient
cause for its failure to comply with the provisions of [1]*** sub-section (2A), the Reserve Bank may not
demand the payment of the penal interest.

_Explanation.—In this section, the expression “public holiday” means a day which is a public_

holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881).]

**25. Assets in India.—[2][(1) The assets in India of every banking company at the close of business**

on the last Friday of every quarter or, if that Friday is a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments
Act, 1881 (26 of 1881), at the close of the business on the preceding working day, shall not be less than
seventy-five per cent. of its demand and time liabilities in India.

(2) Every banking company shall, within one month from the end of every quarter, submit to the

Reserve Bank a return in the prescribed form and manner of the assets and liabilities referred to in
sub-section (1) as at the close of business on the last Friday of the previous quarter, or, if that Friday is
a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881), at the close of business on
the preceding working day:]

3[Provided that every regional rural bank shall also furnish a copy of the said return to the National

Bank.]

(3) For the purposes of this section,—

4[(a) “assets in India” shall be deemed to include export bills drawn in, and import bills drawn

on and payable in India and expressed in such currencies as the Reserve Bank may from time to
time approve in this behalf and also such securities as the Reserve Bank may approve in this behalf
notwithstanding that all or any of the said bills or securities are held outside India;]

5[(b) “liabilities in India” shall not include the paid-up capital or the reserves or any credit

balance in the profit and loss account of the banking company;]

6[(c)] “quarter” means the period of three months ending on the last day of March, June,

September or December.

**26. Return of unclaimed deposits.— Every banking company shall, within thirty days after the**

close of each calendar year, submit a return in the prescribed form and manner to the Reserve Bank as
at the end of such calendar year of all accounts [7][in India] which have not been operated upon for ten
years, [8]***:

Provided that in the case of money deposited for a fixed period the said term of ten years shall be

reckoned from the date of the expiry of such fixed period:

1. The words, brackets and letter “clause (a) of” omitted by Act 4 of 2013, s. 7 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
2. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959 s. 16, for sub-sections (1) and (2) (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
3. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).
4. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 7, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
5. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 16 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
6. Clause (b) relettered as clause (c) by s. 16, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
7. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “in the States” (w.e.f.18-3-1950).
8. Certain words omitted by Act 55 of 1963, s. 14 (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).

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1[Provided further that every regional rural bank shall also furnish a copy of the said return to the

National Bank.]

2[26A. Establishment of Depositor Education and Awareness Fund.—(1) The Reserve Bank

shall establish a Fund to be called the “Depositor Education and Awareness Fund” (hereafter in this
section referred to as the “Fund”).

(2) There shall be credited to the Fund the amount to the credit of any account in India with a

banking company which has not been operated upon for a period of ten years or any deposit or any
amount remaining unclaimed for more than ten years, within a period of three months from the expiry
of the said period of ten years:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall prevent a depositor or any other claimant

to claim his deposit or unclaimed amount or operate his account or deposit account from or with the
banking company after the expiry of said period of ten years and such banking company shall be liable
to repay such deposit or amount at such rate of interest as may be specified by the Reserve Bank in this
behalf.

(3) Where the banking company has paid outstanding amount referred to in sub-section (2) or

allowed operation of such account or deposit, such banking company may apply for refund of such
amount in such manner as may be specified by the authority or committee referred to in
sub-section (5).

(4) The Fund shall be utilised for promotion of depositors' interests and for such other purposes

which may be necessary for the promotion of depositors’ interests as may be specified by the Reserve
Bank from time to time.

(5) The Reserve Bank shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify an authority or

committee, with such members as the Reserve Bank may appoint, to administer the Fund, and to
maintain separate accounts and other relevant records in relation to the Fund in such forms as may be
specified by the Reserve Bank.

(6) It shall be competent for the authority or committee appointed under sub-section (5) to spend

moneys out of the Fund for carrying out the objects for which the Fund has been established.]

**27. Monthly returns and power to call for other returns and information.—(1) Every banking**

company shall, before the close of the month succeeding that to which it relates, submit to the Reserve
Bank a return in the prescribed form and manner showing its assets and liabilities [3][in India] as at the
close of business on the last Friday of every month or if that Friday is a public holiday under the
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881), at the close of business on the preceding working day.

4[(2) The Reserve Bank may at any time direct a banking company to furnish it within such time as

may be specified by the Reserve Bank, with such statements and information relating to the business or
affairs of the banking company (including any business or affairs with which such banking company is
concerned) as the Reserve Bank may consider necessary or expedient to obtain for the purposes of this
Act, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power may call for information every halfyear regarding [5][the investments of a banking company and the classification of its advances in respect
of industry, commerce and agriculture].]

6[(3) Every regional rural bank shall submit a copy of the return which it submits to the Reserve

Bank under sub-section (1) also to the National Bank and the powers exercisable by the Reserve Bank
under sub-section (2) may also be exercised by the National Bank in relation to regional rural banks.]

1. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).
2. Ins. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 8 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
3. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “in the States” (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
4. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 6, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 14-1- 1957).
5. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 17, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-10- 1959).
6. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).

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1[28. Power to publish information.—The Reserve Bank or the National Bank, or both, if they

consider it in the public interest so to do, may [2][publish—

(a) any information obtained by them under this Act in such consolidated form as they think

fit;

(b) in such manner as they may consider proper, any credit information disclosed under the

Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (30 of 2005).]
**29. Accounts and balance-sheet.—(1) At the expiration of each calendar year [3][or at the expiration**

of a period of twelve months ending with such date as the Central Government may, by notification in
the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf,] every banking company incorporated [4][in India], in respect
of all business transacted by it, and every banking company incorporated [5][outside India], in respect of
all business transacted through its branches [6][in India], shall prepare with reference to [7][that year or
period, as the case may be,] a balance-sheet and profit and loss account as on the last working day of
8[that year or the period, as the case may be,] in the Forms set out in the Third Schedule or as near
thereto as circumstances admit:

9[Provided that with a view to facilitating the transition from one period, of accounting to another

period of accounting under this sub-section the Central Government may, by order published in the
Official Gazette, make such provisions as it considers necessary or expedient for the preparation of, or
for other matters relating to, the balance-sheet or profit and loss account in respect of the concerned
year or period, as the case may be.]

(2) The balance-sheet and profit and loss account shall be signed—

(a) in the case of a banking company incorporated [6][in India], by the manager or the principal

officer of the company and where there are more than three directors of the company, by at least
three of those directors, or where there are not more than three directors, by all the directors, and

(b) in the case of a banking company incorporated [5][outside India] by the manager or agent of

the principal office of the company [6][in India].

(3) Notwithstanding that the balance-sheet of a banking company is under sub-section (1) required

to be prepared in a form other than the form [10][set out in Part I of Schedule VI to the Companies Act,
1956 (1 of 1956)], the requirements of that Act relating to the balance-sheet and profit and loss account
of a company shall, in so far as they are not inconsistent with this Act, apply to the
balance-sheet or profit and loss account, as the case may be, of a banking company.

3[(3A) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in sub-section (3) of section 210 of the

Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), the period to which the profit and loss account relates shall, in the
case of a banking company, be the period ending with the last working day of the year immediately
preceding the year in which the annual general meeting is held.]

11[Explanation.—In sub-section (3A), “year” means the year or, as the case may be, the period

referred to in sub-section (1).]

1. Subs. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule, for s. 28 (w.e.f. 12-7-1982).
2. Subs. by Act 30 of 2005, s. 34 and the Schedule, for certain words (w.e.f. 14-12-2006).
3. Ins. by Act 66 of 1988, s. 8 (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).
4. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “in a State” (w.e.f.18-3-1950).
5. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “outside the State” (w.e.f.18-3-1950).
6. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “in the State” (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
7. Subs. by Act 66 of 1988, s. 8, for “that year” (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).
8. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for “the year” (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).
9. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for the proviso (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).
10. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and Sch. for “marked F in the Third Schedule to the Indian Companies Act, 1913

(7 of 1913)” (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

11. Ins. by Act 66 of 1988, s. 8 (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).

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(4) The Central Government, after giving not less than three months’notice of its intention so to do

by a notification in the Official Gazette, may from time to time by a like notification amend the Forms
set out in the Third Schedule.

1[29A. Power in respect of associate enterprises.—(1) The Reserve Bank may, at any time, direct

a banking company to annex to its financial statements or furnish to it separately, within such time and
at such intervals as may be specified by the Reserve Bank, such statements and information relating to
the business or affairs of any associate enterprise of the banking company as the Reserve Bank may
consider necessary or expedient to obtain for the purpose of this Act.

(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), the

Reserve Bank may, at any time, cause an inspection to be made of any associate enterprise of a banking
company and its books of account jointly by one or more of its officers or employees or other persons
along with the Board or authority regulating such associate enterprise.

(3) The provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 35 shall apply _mutatis mutandis to the_

inspection under this section.

_Explanation.—“associate enterprise” in relation to a banking company includes an enterprise_

which—

(i) is a holding company or a subsidiary company of the banking company; or

(ii) is a jont venture of the banking company; or
(iii) is a subsidiary company or a joint venture of the holding company of the banking

company; or

(iv) controls the composition of the Board of directors or other body governing the banking

company; or

(v) exercises, in the opinion of the Reserve Bank, significant influence on the banking company

in taking financial or policy decisions; or

(vi) is able to obtain economic benefits from the activities of the banking company.]

**30. Audit.—[2][(1) The balance-sheet and profit and loss account prepared in accordance with**

section 29 shall be audited by a person duly qualified under any law for the time being in force to be an
auditor of companies.]

3[(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force or in any contract

to the contrary, every banking company shall, before appointing, re-appointing or removing any auditor
or auditors, obtain the previous approval of the Reserve Bank.

(1B) Without prejudice to anything contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), or any other

law for the time being in force, where the Reserve Bank is of opinion that it is necessary in the public
interest or in the interest of the banking company or its depositors so to do, [4][it may at any time by order
direct that a special audit of the banking company's accounts, for any such transaction or class of
transactions or for such period or periods as may be specified in the order, shall be conducted and may
by the same or a different order either appoint a person duly qualified under any law for the time being
in force to be an auditor of companies or direct the auditor of the banking company himself to conduct
such special audit] and the auditor shall comply with such directions and make a report of such audit to
the Reserve Bank and forward a copy thereof to the company.

(1C) The expenses of, or incidental to [5][the special audit] specified in the order made by the

Reserve Bank shall be borne by the banking company.]

1. Ins. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 9 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
2. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 8, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 1-2- 1969).
3. Ins. by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
4. Subs. by Act 66 of 1988, s. 9, for certain words (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).
5. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “the audit of the transaction or class of transactions” (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).

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(2) The auditor shall have the powers of, exercise the functions vested in, and discharge the duties

and be subject to the liabilities and penalties imposed on, auditors of companies by [1][section 227 of the
Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)]. [2][, and auditors, if any, appointed by the law establishing,
constituting or forming the banking company concerned].

(3) In addition to the matters which under the aforesaid Act the auditor is required to state in his

report, he shall, in the case of a banking company incorporated [3][in India], state in his report,—

(a) whether or not the information and explanations required by him have been found to be

satisfactory;

(b) whether or not the transactions of the company which have come to his notice have been

within the powers of the company;

(c) whether or not the returns received from branch offices of the company have been found

adequate for the purposes of his audit;

(d) whether the profit and loss account shows a true balance [4][of profit or loss] for the period

covered by such account;

(e) any other matter which he considers should be brought to the notice of the share holders of

the company.

**31. Submission of returns.—The accounts and balance-sheet referred to in section 29 together**

with the auditor's report shall be published in the prescribed manner and three copies thereof shall be
furnished as returns to the Reserve Bank within three months from the end of the period to which they
refer:

Provided that the Reserve Bank may in any case extend the said period of three months for the

furnishing of such returns by a further period not exceeding three months:

5[Provided further that a regional rural bank shall furnish such returns also to the National Bank.]

**32. Copies of balance-sheets and accounts to be sent to registrar.—[6][(1) Where a banking**

company in any year furnishes its accounts and balance-sheet in accordance with the provisions of
section 31, it shall at the same time send to the registrar three copies of such accounts and balance-sheet
and of the auditor's report, and where such copies are so sent, it shall not be necessary to file with the
registrar, in the case of a public company, copies of the accounts and balance-sheet and of the auditor's
report, and, in the case of a private company, copies of the balance-sheet and of the auditor's report as
required by sub-section (1) of section 220 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956); and the copies so
sent shall be chargeable with the same fee and shall be dealt with in all respects as if they were filed in
accordance with that section.]

(2) When in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 27 the Reserve Bank requires any additional

statement or information in connection with the balance-sheet and accounts furnished under section 31,
the banking company shall, when supplying such statement or information, send a copy thereof to the
registrar.

**33. Display of audited balance-sheet by companies incorporated outside India.—Every**

banking company incorporated [7][outside India] shall, not later than the first Monday in August of any
year in which it carries on business, display in a conspicuous place in its principal office and in every

1. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 8, for “section 145 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
2. Ins. by Act 66 of 1988, s. 9 (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).
3. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “in a State” (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
4. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 15, for “of profit and loss” (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
5. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).
6. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 19, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 1-10- 1959).
7. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “outside the States” (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).

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branch office [1][in India] a copy of its last audited balance-sheet and profit and loss account prepared
under section 29, and shall keep the copy so displayed until replaced by a copy of the subsequent
balance-sheet and profit and loss account so prepared, and every such banking company shall display in
like manner copies of its complete audited balance-sheet and profit and loss account relating to its
banking business as soon as they are available, and shall keep the copies so displayed until copies of
such subsequent accounts are available.

**34. Accounting provisions of this Act not retrospective.—Nothing in this Act shall apply to the**

preparation of accounts by a banking company and the audit and submission thereof in respect of any
accounting year which has expired prior to the commencement of this Act, and notwithstanding the
other provisions of this Act, such accounts shall be prepared, audited and submitted in accordance with
the law in force immediately before the commencement of this Act.

2[34A. Protection of documents of confidential nature.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained

in section 11 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), or any other law for the time being in
force, no banking company shall, in any proceeding under the said Act or in any appeal or other
proceeding arising therefrom or connected therewith, be compelled by any authority before which such
proceeding is pending to produce, or give inspection of, any of its books of account or other document
or furnish or disclose any statement or information, when the banking company claims that such
document, statement or information is of a confidential nature and that the production or inspection of
such document or the furnishing or disclosure of such statement or information would involve
disclosure of information relating to—

(a) any reserves not shown as such in its published balance-sheet; or
(b) any particulars not shown therein in respect of provisions made for bad and doubtful debts

and other usual or necessary provisions.
(2) If, in any such proceeding in relation to any banking company other than the Reserve Bank of

India, any question arises as to whether any amount out of the reserves or provisions referred to in subsection (1) should be taken into account by the authority before which such proceeding is pending, the
authority may, if it so thinks fit, refer the question to the Reserve Bank and the Reserve Bank shall,
after taking into account principles of sound banking and all relevant circumstances concerning the
banking company, furnish to the authority a certificate stating that the authority shall not take into
account any amount as such reserves and provisions of the banking company or may take them into
account only to the extent of the amount specified by it in the certificate, and the certificate of the
Reserve Bank on such question shall be final and shall not be called in question in any such proceeding.

3[(3) For the purposes of this section “banking company” includes the Reserve Bank, 4*** the Exim

Bank, [5][the Reconstruction Bank], [6][the National Housing Bank], the National Bank, [7][, the Small
Industries Bank [8][,the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development or the other
development financial institution,]] the State Bank of India, a corresponding new bank, a regional rural
bank and a subsidiary bank.]]

**35. Inspection.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in** [9][section 235 of the

Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)], the Reserve Bank at any time may, and on being directed so to do
by the Central Government shall, cause an inspection to be made by one or more of its officers of any
banking company and its books and accounts; and the Reserve Bank shall supply to the banking
company a copy of its report on such inspection.

1. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 3, for “in the States” (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
2. Ins. by Act 23 of 1960, s. 2 (w.e.f. 26-8-1960).
3. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 28, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
4. The words “the Development Bank” omitted by Act 53 of 2003, s. 12 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 2-7-2004).
5. Ins. by Act 62 of 1984, s. 71 and the Third Schedule (w.e.f. 20-3-1985).
6. Ins. by Act 53 of 1987, s. 56 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 9-7-1988).
7. Ins. by Act 39 of 1989, s. 53 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 7-3-1990).
8. Ins. by Act 17 of 2021, s. 48 and the third Schedule (w.e.f. 19-4-2021).
9. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and Schedule, for “section 138 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-10-1957).

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[1][(1A) (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law for the time being in

force and without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Reserve Bank, at any time, may
also cause a scrutiny to be made by any one or more of its officers, of the affairs of any banking
company and its books and accounts; and

(b) a copy of the report of the scrutiny shall be furnished to the banking company if the banking

company makes a request for the same or if any adverse action is contemplated against the banking
company on the basis of the scrutiny.]

(2) It shall be the duty of every director or other officer [2][or employee] of the banking company to

produce to any officer making an inspection under sub-section (1) [3][or a scrutiny under sub-section
(1A)] all such books, accounts and other documents in his custody or power and to furnish him with any
statements and information relating to the affairs of the banking company as the said officer may
require of him within such time as the said officer may specify.

(3) Any person making an inspection under sub-section (1) [3][or a scrutiny under sub-section (1A)]

may examine on oath any director or other officer [2][or employee] of the banking company in relation to
its business, and may administer an oath accordingly.

(4) The Reserve Bank shall, if it has been directed by the Central Government to cause an

inspection to be made, and may, in any other case, report to the Central Government on any inspection
4[or scrutiny] made under this section, and the Central Government, if it is of opinion after considering
the report that the affairs of the banking company are being conducted to the detriment of the interests
of its depositors, may, after giving such opportunity to the banking company to make a representation in
connection with the report as, in the opinion of the Central Government, seems reasonable, by order in
writing—

(a) prohibit the banking company from receiving fresh deposits;
(b) direct the Reserve Bank to apply under section 38 for the winding up of the banking

company:

Provided that the Central Government may defer, for such period as it may think fit, the passing of

an order under this sub-section, or cancel or modify any such order, upon such terms and conditions as
it may think fit to impose.

(5) The Central Government may, after giving reasonable notice to the banking company, publish

the report submitted by the Reserve Bank or such portion thereof as may appear necessary.

4[Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expression “banking company” shall

include—

(i) in the case of a banking company incorporated outside India, all its branches in India; and

(ii) in the case of a banking company incorporated in India—

(a) all its subsidiaries formed for the purpose of carrying on the business of banking

exclusively outside India; and

(b) all its branches whether situated in India or outside India.]

5[(6) The powers exercisable by the Reserve Bank under this section in relation to regional rural

banks may (without prejudice to the exercise of such powers by the Reserve Bank in relation to any
regional rural bank whenever it considers necessary so to do) be exercised by the National Bank in
relation to the regional rural banks, and accordingly, sub-sections (1) to (5) shall apply in relation to
regional rural banks as if every reference therein to the Reserve Bank included also a reference to the
National Bank.]

1. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 29 (retrospectively).
2. Ins. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 17 (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
3. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 29 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
4. Added by Act 33 of 1959, s. 20 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
5. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 12-7-1982).

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[1][35A. Power of the Reserve Bank to give directions.—(1) Where the Reserve Bank is satisfied

that—

(a) in the [2][public interest]; or
3[(aa) in the interest of banking policy; or]
(b) to prevent the affairs of any banking company being conducted in a manner detrimental to

the interests of the depositors or in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the banking company; or

(c) to secure the proper management of any banking company generally,

it is necessary to issue directions to banking companies generally or to any banking company in
particular, it may, from time to time, issue such directions as it deems fit, and the banking companies or
the banking company, as the case may be, shall be bound to comply with such directions.

(2) The Reserve Bank may, on representation made to it or on its own motion, modify or cancel any

direction issued under sub-section (1), and in so modifying or cancelling any direction may impose such
conditions as it thinks fit, subject to which the modification or cancellation shall have effect.]

4[35AA. Power of Central Government to authorise Reserve Bank for issuing directions to

**banking companies to initiate insolvency resolution process.—The Central Government may, by**
order, authorise the Reserve Bank to issue directions to any banking company or banking companies to
initiate insolvency resolution process in respect of a default, under the provisions of the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016).

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “default” has the same meaning assigned to it in_

clause (12) of section 3 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016).

**35AB. Power of Reserve Bank to issue directions in respect of stressed assets.—(1) Without**

prejudice to the provisions of section 35A, the Reserve Bank may, from time to time, issue directions to
any banking company or banking companies for resolution of stressed assets.

(2) The Reserve Bank may specify one or more authorities or committees with such members as the

Reserve Bank may appoint or approve for appointment to advise any banking company or banking
companies on resolution of stressed assets.]

5[35B. Amendments of provisions relating to appointments of managing directors, etc., to be

**subject to previous approval of the Reserve Bank.—(1) In the case of a banking company—**

(a) no amendment of any provision relating to [4][the maximum permissible number of directors

or] the [6][appointment or re-appointment or termination of appointment or remuneration of a
chairman, a] [7][managing director or any other director, whole-time or otherwise] or of a manager or
a chief executive officer by whatever name called, whether that provision be contained in the
company's memorandum or articles of association, or in an agreement entered into by it, or in any
resolution passed by the company in general meeting or by its Board of directors shall have effect
unless approved by the Reserve Bank;

8[(b) no appointment or re-appointment or termination of appointment of a chairman, a

managing or whole-time director, manager or chief executive officer by whatever name called, shall
have effect unless such appointment, re-appointment or termination of appointment is made with
the previous approval of the Reserve Bank.]

9[Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, any provision conferring any benefit or

providing any amenity or perquisite, in whatever form, whether during or after the termination of the
term of office [10][of the chairman or the manager] or the chief executive officer by whatever name called

1. Ins. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 7 (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
2. Subs. by Act 7 of 1961, s. 2, for “national interest” (w.e.f. 24-3-1961).
3. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 10, (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
4. Ins. by Act 30 of 2017, s. 2, (w.e.f. 4-5-2017).
5. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 30 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
6. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 11, ibid, for “appointment or re-appointment or remuneration of a” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
7. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 21, for “managing or whole-time director or of a director not liable to retire by rotation”

(w.e.f. 1-10-1959).

8. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 11, for clause (b) (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
9. Added by Act 33 of 1959, s. 21 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
10. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 11, for “of the manager” (w.e.f. 1-2- 1969).

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or the managing director, or any other director, whole-time or otherwise, shall be deemed to be a
provision relating to his remuneration.]

(2) Nothing contained in sections [1][268 and 269, the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 309,

sections 310 and 311, the proviso to section 387, and section 388] (in so far as section 388 makes the
2[provisions of sections 269, 310] and 311 apply in relation to the manager of a company) of the
Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), shall [3][apply to any matter in respect of which the approval of the
Reserve Bank has to be obtained under sub-section (1)].

4[(2A) Nothing contained in section 198 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) shall apply to a

Banking company and the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 309 and of section 387 of that Act
shall, insofar as they are applicable to a banking company, have effect as if no reference had been made
in the said provisions to section 198 of that Act.]

(3) No act done by a person [5][as chairman or a managing or whole-time director] or a director not

liable to retire by rotation or a manager or a chief executive officer by whatever name called, shall be
deemed to be invalid on the ground that it is subsequently discovered that his [6][appointment or
re-appointment] had not taken effect by reason of any of the provisions of this Act; but nothing in this
sub-section shall be construed as rendering valid any act done by such person after his [8][appointment or
re-appointment] has been shown to the banking company not to have had effect.]

**36. Further powers and functions of Reserve Bank.—(1) The Reserve Bank may—**

(a) caution or prohibit banking companies generally or any banking company in particular

against entering into any particular transaction or class of transactions, and generally give advice to
any banking company;

(b) on a request by the companies concerned and subject to the provisions of section [7][44A],

assist, as intermediary or otherwise, in proposals for the amalgamation of such banking companies;

(c) give assistance to any banking company by means of the grant of a loan or advance to it

under clause (3) of sub-section (1) of section 18 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
(2 of 1934);

8[(d) 9[at any time, if it is satisfied that in the public interest or in the interest of banking policy

or for preventing the affairs of the banking company being conducted in a manner detrimental to
the interests of the banking company or its depositors it is necessary so to do,] by order in writing
and on such terms and conditions as may be specified therein—

(i) require the banking company to call a meeting of its directors for the purpose of

considering any matter relating to or arising out of the affairs of the banking company, or
require an officer of the banking company to discuss any such matter with an officer an officer
of the Reserve Bank;

(ii) depute one or more of its officers to watch the proceedings at any meeting of the Board

of directors of the banking company or of any committee or of any other body constituted by it;
require that banking company to give an opportunity to the officers so deputed to be heard at
such meetings and also require such officers to send a report of such proceedings to the Reserve
Bank;

(iii) require the Board of directors of the banking company or any committee or any other

body constituted by it to give in writing to any officer specified by the Reserve Bank in this

1. Subs. by Act 36 of 1962, s. 7, for “268, 269, 310, 311 and 388”.
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 30, for “provisions of section 310” (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 21, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
4. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 30 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
5. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 11, for “as a managing or whole-time director” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
6. Subs. by s. 11, ibid., for “appointment” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
7. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 22, for “45” (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
8. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 8, for cl. (d) (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
9. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 12, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-2- 1969).

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behalf at his usual address all notices of, and other communications relating to, any meeting of
the Board, committee or other body constituted by it;

(iv) appoint one or more of its officers to observe the manner in which the affairs of the

banking company or of its offices or branches are being conducted and make a report thereon;

(v) require the banking company to make, within such time as may be specified in the

order, such changes in the management as the Reserve Bank may consider necessary [1]***.]

(2) The Reserve Bank shall make an annual report to the Central Government on the trend and

progress of banking in the country, with particular reference to its activities under clause (2) of section
17 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934), including in such report its suggestions, if any,
for the strengthening of banking business throughout the country.

(3) The Reserve Bank may appoint such staff at such places as it considers necessary for the

scrutiny of the returns, statements and information furnished by banking companies under this Act, and
generally to ensure the efficient performance of its functions under this Act.

2[36A. Certain provisions of the Act not to apply to certain banking companies.—(1) The

provisions of section 11, sub-section (1) of section 12, and sections 17, 18, 24 and 25 shall not apply to
a banking company—

(a) which, whether before or after the commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment)

Act, 1959 (33 of 1959), has been refused a licence under section 22, or prohibited from accepting
fresh deposits by a compromise, arrangement or scheme sanctioned by a court or by any order made
in any proceeding relating to such compromise, arrangement or scheme, or prohibited from
accepting deposits by virtue of any alteration made in its memorandum; or

(b) whose licence has been cancelled under section 22, whether before or after the

commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1959 (33 of 1959).
(2) Where the Reserve Bank is satisfied that any such banking company as is referred to in

sub-section (1) has repaid, or has made adequate provision for repaying all deposits accepted by the
banking company, either in full or to the maximum extent possible, the Reserve Bank may, by notice
published in the Official Gazette, notify that the banking company has ceased to be a banking company
within the meaning of this Act, and thereupon all the provisions of this Act applicable to such banking
company shall cease to apply to it, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such
notice.]

3[PART IIA

CONTROL OVER MANAGEMENT

**36AA. Power of Reserve Bank to remove managerial and other persons from office.—(1)**

Where the Reserve Bank is satisfied that in the public interest or for preventing the affairs of a banking
company being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of the depositors or for securing the
proper management of any banking company it is necessary so to do, the Reserve Bank may, for
reasons to be recorded in writing, by order, remove from office, with effect from such date as may be
specified in the order, [4][any chairman, director,] chief executive officer (by whatever name called) or
other officer or employee of the banking company.

(2) No order under sub-section (1) shall be made [5][unless the chairman, director] or chief executive

officer or other officer or employee concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity of making a
representation to the Reserve Bank against the proposed order:

Provided that if, in the opinion of the Reserve Bank, any delay would be detrimental to the interests

of the banking company or its depositors, the Reserve Bank may, at the time of giving the
opportunity aforesaid or at any time thereafter, by order direct that, pending the consideration of the

1. Certain words omitted by Act 58 of 1968, s. 12 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
2. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 23 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
3. Ins. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 18 (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
4. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 13, for “any director” (w.e.f. 1-2- 1969).
5. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for “unless the director” (w.e.f. 1-2- 1969).

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representation aforesaid, if any, [1][the chairman or, as the case may be, director or chief executive
officer] or other officer or employee, shall not, with effect from the date of such order—

(a) [2][act as such chairman or director] or chief executive officer or other officer or employee of

the banking company;

(b) in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned with, or take part in the

management of, the banking company.

(3) (a) Any person against whom an order of removal has been made under sub-section (1) may,

within thirty days from the date of communication to him of the order, prefer an appeal to the Central
Government.

(b) The decision of the Central Government on such appeal, and subject thereto, the order made by

the Reserve Bank under sub-section (1), shall be final and shall not be called into question in any court.

(4) Where any order is made in respect of [3][a chairman, director] or chief executive officer or other

officer or employee of a banking company under sub-section (1), he shall cease to be [4][a chairman or,
as the case may be, a director,] chief executive officer or other officer or employee of the banking
company and shall not, in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned with, or take part in the
management of, any banking company for such period not exceeding five years as may be specified in
the order.

(5) If any person in respect of whom an order is made by the Reserve Bank under sub-section (1) or

under the proviso to sub-section (2) contravenes the provisions of this section, he shall be punishable
with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees for each day during which such
contravention continues.

(6) Where an order under sub-section (1) has been made, the Reserve Bank may, by order in

writing, appoint a suitable person in place of [5][the chairman or director] or chief executive officer or
other officer or employee who has been removed from his office under that sub-section, with effect
from such date as may be specified in the order.

(7) Any person appointed as [6][chairman, director or chief executive officer] or other officer or

employee under this section, shall—

(a) hold office during the pleasure of the Reserve Bank and subject thereto for a period not

exceeding three years or such further periods not exceeding three years at a time as the Reserve
Bank may specify;

(b) not incur any obligation or liability by reason only of his being a [chairman, director or

chief executive officer] or other officer or employee or for anything done or omitted to be done in
good faith in the execution of the duties of his office or in relation thereto.

(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law or in any contract, memorandum or articles of

association, on the removal of a person from office under this section, that person shall not be entitled
to claim any compensation for the loss or termination of office.

**36AB. Power of Reserve Bank to appoint additional directors.—(1) If the Reserve Bank is of**

7[opinion that in the interest of banking policy or in the public interest or] in the interests of the
banking company or its depositors it is necessary so to do, it may, from time to time by order in writing,

1. Subs. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 13, for “the director or, as the case may be, chief executive officer” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
2. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for “act as such director” (w.e.f. 1-2- 1969).
3. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for “a director” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
4. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for “a director or as the case may be,” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
5. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for “the director” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
6. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for “director or chief executive officer” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
7. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for “opinion that” (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).

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appoint, with effect from such date as may be specified in the order, one or more persons to hold office
as additional directors of the banking company.

1*  -  -  -  
(2) Any person appointed as additional director in pursuance of this section—

(a) shall hold office during the pleasure of the Reserve Bank and subject thereto for a period

not exceeding three years or such further periods not exceeding three years at a time as the Reserve
Bank may specify;

(b) shall not incur any obligation or liability by reason only of his being a director or for

anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in the execution of the duties of his office or in
relation thereto; and

(c) shall not be required to hold qualification shares in the banking company.

(3) For the purpose of reckoning any proportion of the total number of directors of the banking

company, any additional director appointed under this section shall not be taken into account.

**36AC. Part IIA to override other laws.—Any appointment or removal of a director, chief**

executive officer or other officer or employee in pursuance of section 36AA or section 36AB shall have
effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), or
any other law for the time being in force or in any contract or any other instrument.]

2[PART IIAB

SUPERSESSION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BANKING COMPANY

**36ACA.** **Supersession of Board of Directors in certain cases.—(1) Where the Reserve Bank is**

satisfied, in consultation with the Central Government, that in the public interest or for preventing the
affairs of any banking company being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the
depositors or any banking company or for securing the proper management of any banking company, it
is necessary so to do, the Reserve Bank may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order, supersede
the Board of Directors of such banking company for a period not exceeding six months as may be
specified in the order:

Provided that the period of supersession of the Board of Directors may be extended from time to

time, so, however, that the total period shall not exceed twelve months.

(2) The Reserve Bank may, on supersession of the Board of Directors of the banking company

under sub-section (1) appoint in consultation with the Central Government for such period as it may
determine, an Administrator (not being an officer of the Central Government or a State Government)
who has experience in law, finance, banking, economics or accountancy.

(3) The Reserve Bank may issue such directions to the Administrator as it may deem appropriate

and the Administrator shall be bound to follow such directions.

(4) Upon making the order of supersession of the Board of Directors of a banking company,

notwithstanding anything contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956),—

(a) the chairman, managing director and other directors shall, as from the date of supersession,

vacate their offices as such;

(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of the

Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) or this Act, or any other law for the time being in force, be
exercised and discharged by or on behalf of the Board of Directors of such banking company, or
by a resolution passed in general meeting of such banking company, shall, until the Board of

1. Proviso omitted by Act 1 of 1984, s. 31 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
2. Ins. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 10 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).

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Directors of such banking company is reconstituted, be exercised and discharged by the
Administrator appointed by the Reserve Bank under sub-section (2):

Provided that the power exercised by the Administrator shall be valid notwithstanding that such

power is exercisable by a resolution passed in the general meeting of such banking company.

(5) The Reserve Bank may constitute, in consultation with the Central Government, a committee of

three or more persons who have experience in law, finance, banking, economics or accountancy to
assist the Administrator in the discharge of his duties.

(6) The committee shall meet at such times and places and observe such rules of procedure as may

be specified by the Reserve Bank.

(7) The salary and allowances to the Administrator and the members of the committee constituted

under sub-section (5) by the Reserve Bank shall be such as may be specified by the Reserve Bank and
be payable by the concerned banking company.

(8) On and before the expiration of two months before the expiry of the period of supersession of

the Board of Directors as specified in the order issued under sub-section (1), the Administrator of the
banking company, shall call the general meeting of the company to elect new directors and reconstitute
its Board of Directors.

(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law or in any contract, the memorandum or

articles of association, no person shall be entitled to claim any compensation for the loss or termination
of his office.

(10) The Administrator appointed under sub-section (2) shall vacate office immediately after the

Board of Directors of such banking company has been reconstituted.]

1[PART IIB

PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO BANKING COMPANIES

**36AD. Punishments for certain activities in relation to banking companies.—(1) No person**

shall—

(a) obstruct any person from lawfully entering or leaving any office or place of business of a

banking company or from carrying on any business there, or

(b) hold, within the office or place of business of any banking company, any demonstration

which is violent or which prevents, or is calculated to prevent, the transaction of normal business by
the banking company, or

(c) act in any manner calculated to undermine the confidence of the depositors in the banking

company.

(2) Whoever contravenes any provision of sub-section (1) without any reasonable excuse shall be

punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may
extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

2[(3) For the purposes of this section “banking company” includes the Reserve Bank, 3*** the Exim

Bank [4][the Reconstruction Bank], [5][the National Housing Bank], the National Bank, [6][the Small
Industries Bank [7][, the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development or the other
development financial institution,]] the State Bank of India, a corresponding new bank, a regional rural
bank and a subsidiary bank].

1. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 15 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 32, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. The words “the Development Bank” omitted by Act 53 of 2003, s. 12 and Schedule (w.e.f. 2-7-2004).
4. Ins. by Act 62 of 1984, s. 71 and the Third Schedule (w.e.f. 20-3-1985).
5. Ins. by Act 53 of 1987 s. 56 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 9-7-1988).
6. Ins. by Act 39 of 1989, s. 53 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 7-3-1990).
7. Ins. by Act 17 of 2021, s. 48 and the third Schedule (w.e.f. 19-4-2021).

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PART IIC

ACQUISITION OF THE UNDERTAKINGS OF BANKING COMPANIES IN CERTAIN CASES

**36AE. Power of Central Government to acquire undertakings of banking companies in**

**certain cases.—(1) If, upon receipt of a report from the Reserve Bank, the Central Government is**
satisfied that a banking company—

(a) has, on more than one occasion, failed to comply with the directions given to it in writing

under section 21 or section 35A, in so far as such directions relate to banking policy, or

(b) is being managed in a manner detrimental to the interests of its depositors,—

and that—

(i) in the interests of the depositors of such banking company, or

(ii) in the interest of banking policy, or

(iii) for the better provision of credit generally or of credit to any particular section of the

community or in any particular area,

it is necessary to acquire the undertaking of such banking company, the Central Government may, after
such consultation with the Reserve Bank as it thinks fit, by notified order, acquire the undertaking of
such company (hereinafter referred to as the acquired bank) with effect from such date as may be
specified in this behalf by the Central Government (hereinafter referred to as the appointed day):

Provided that no undertaking of any banking company shall be so acquired unless such banking

company has been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the proposed action.

_Explanation.—In this Part,—_

(a) “notified order” means an order published in the Official Gazette;

(b) “undertaking”, in relation to a banking company incorporated outside India, means the

undertaking of the company in India.

(2) Subject to the other provisions contained in this Part, on the appointed day, the undertaking of

the acquired bank and all the assets and liabilities of the acquired bank shall stand transferred to, and
vest in, the Central Government.

(3) The undertaking of the acquired bank and its assets and liabilities shall be deemed to include all

rights, powers, authorities and privileges and all property, whether movable or immovable, including, in
particular, cash balances, reserve funds, investments, deposits and all other interests and rights in, or
arising out of, such property as may be in the possession of, or held by, the acquired bank immediately
before the appointed day and all books, accounts and documents relating thereto, and shall also be
deemed to include all debts, liabilities and obligations, of whatever kind, then existing of the acquired
bank.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the Central Government may, if it is

satisfied that the undertaking of the acquired bank and its assets and liabilities should, instead of vesting
in the Central Government, or continuing to so vest, vest in a company established under any scheme
made under this Part or in any corporation (hereinafter in this Part and in the Fifth Schedule referred to
as the transferee bank) that Government may, by order, direct that the said undertaking, including the
assets and liabilities thereof, shall vest in the transferee bank either on the publication of the notified
order or on such other date as may be specified in this behalf by the Central Government.

(5) Where the undertaking of the acquired bank and the assets and liabilities thereof vest in the

transferee bank under sub-section (4), the transferee bank, shall, on and from the date of such vesting,
be deemed to have become the transferee of the acquired bank and all the rights and liabilities in
relation to the acquired bank shall, on and from the date of such vesting, be deemed to have been the
rights and liabilities of the transferee bank.

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(6) Unless otherwise expressly provided by or under this Part, all contracts, deeds, bonds,

agreements, powers of attorney, grants of legal representation and other instruments of whatever nature
subsisting or having effect immediately before the appointed day and to which the acquired bank is a
party or which are in favour of the acquired bank shall be of as full force and effect against or in favour
of the Central Government, or as the case may be, of the transferee bank, and may be enforced or acted
upon as fully and effectually as if in the place of the acquired bank the Central Government or the
transferee bank had been a party thereto or as if they had been issued in favour of the Central
Government or the transferee bank, as the case may be.

(7) If, on the appointed day, any suit, appeal or other proceeding of whatever nature is pending by

or against the acquired bank, the same shall not abate, be discontinued or be, in any way, prejudicially
affected by reason of the transfer of the undertaking of the acquired bank or of anything contained in
this Part, but the suit, appeal or other proceeding may be continued, prosecuted and enforced by or
against the Central Government or the transferee bank, as the case may be.

**36AF. Power of the Central Government to make scheme.—(1) The Central Government may**

after consultation with the Reserve Bank, make a scheme for carrying out the purposes of this Part in
relation to any acquired bank.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, the said scheme

may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

(a) the corporation, or the company incorporated for the purpose, to which the undertaking

including the property, assets and liabilities of the acquired bank may be transferred, and the
capital, constitution, name and office thereof;

(b) the constitution of the first Board of management (by whatever name called) of the

transferee bank, and all such matters in connection therewith or incidental thereto as the Central
Government may consider to be necessary or expedient;

(c) the continuance of the services of all the employee of the acquired bank (excepting such of

them as, not being workmen within the meaning of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947),
are specifically mentioned in the scheme) in the Central Government or in the transferee bank, as
the case may be, on the same terms and conditions so far as may be, as are specified in clauses (i)
and (j) of sub-section (5) of section 45;

(d) the continuance of the right of any person who, on the appointed day, is entitled to or is in

receipt of, a pension or other superannuation or compassionate allowance or benefit, from the
acquired bank or any provident, pension or other fund or any authority administering such fund, to
be paid by, and to receive from, the Central Government or the transferee bank, as the case may be,
or any provident, pension or other fund or any authority administering such fund, the same pension,
allowance or benefit so long as he observes the conditions on which the pension, allowance or
benefit was granted, and if any question arises whether he has so observed such conditions, the
question shall be determined by the Central Government and the decision of the Central
Government thereon shall be final;

(e) the manner of payment of the compensation payable in accordance with the provisions of

this Part to the shareholders of the acquired bank, or where the acquired bank is a banking company
incorporated outside India, to the acquired bank in full satisfaction of their, or as the case may be,
its, claims;

(f) the provision, if any, for completing the effectual transfer to the Central Government or the

transferee bank of any asset or any liability which forms part of the undertaking of the acquired
bank in any country outside India;

(g) such incidental, consequential and supplemental matters as may be necessary to secure that

the transfer of the business, property, assets and liabilities of the acquired bank to the Central
Government or transferee bank, as the case may be, is effectual and complete.

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(3) The Central Government may, after consultation with the Reserve Bank, by notification in the

Official Gazette, add to, amend or vary any scheme made under this section.

(4) Every scheme made under this section shall be published in the Official Gazette.

(5) Copies of every scheme made under this section shall be laid before each House of Parliament

as soon as may be after it is made.

(6) The provisions of this Part and of any scheme made thereunder shall have effect

notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other provisions of this Act or in any other
law or any agreement, award or other instrument for the time being in force.

(7) Every scheme made under this section shall be binding on the Central Government or, as the

case may be, on the transferee bank and also on all members, creditors, depositors and employees of the
acquired bank and of the transferee bank and on any other person having any right, liability, power or
function in relation to, or in connection with, the acquired bank or the transferee bank, as the case may
be.

**36AG. Compensation to be given to shareholders of the acquired bank.—(1) Every person**

who, immediately before the appointed day, is registered as a holder of shares in the acquired bank or,
where the acquired bank is a banking company incorporated outside India, the acquired bank, shall be
given by the Central Government, or the transferee bank, as the case may be, such compensation in
respect of the transfer of the undertaking of the acquired bank as is determined in accordance with the
principles contained in the Fifth Schedule.

(2) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall affect the rights _inter se between the holder of any_

share in the acquired bank and any other person who may have any interest in such shares and such
other person shall be entitled to enforce his interest against the compensation awarded to the holder of
such share, but not against the Central Government, or the transferee bank.

(3) The amount of compensation to be given in accordance with the principles contained in the

Fifth Schedule shall be determined in the first instance by the Central Government, or the transferee
bank, as the case may be, in consultation with the Reserve Bank, and shall be offered by it to all those
to whom compensation is payable under sub- section (1) in full satisfaction thereof.

(4) If the amount of compensation offered in terms of sub-section (3) is not acceptable to any

person to whom the compensation is payable, such person may, before such date as may be notified by
the Central Government in the Official Gazette, request the Central Government in writing, to have the
matter referred to the Tribunal constituted under section 36AH.

(5) If, before the date notified under sub-section (4), the Central Government receives requests, in

terms of that sub-section, from not less than one-fourth in number of the shareholders holding not less
than one-fourth in value of the paid-up share capital of the acquired bank, or, where the acquired bank
is a banking company incorporated outside India, from the acquired bank, the Central Government shall
have the matter referred to the Tribunal for decision.

(6) If, before the date notified under sub-section (4), the Central Government does not receive

requests as provided in that sub- section, the amount of compensation offered under sub-section (3), and
where a reference has been made to the Tribunal, the amount determined by it, shall be the
compensation payable under sub-section (1) and shall be final and binding on all parties concerned.

**36AH. Constitution of the Tribunal.—(1) The Central Government may, for the purpose of this**

Part, constitute a Tribunal which shall consist of a Chairman and two other members.

(2) The Chairman shall be a person who is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court or of the Supreme

Court, and, of the two other members, one shall be a person, who, in the opinion of the Central
Government, has had experience of commercial banking and the other shall be a person who is a
chartered accountant within the meaning of the Chartered Accountants’ Act, 1949 (38 of 1949).

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(3) If, for any reason, a vacancy occurs in the office of the Chairman or any other member of the

Tribunal, the Central Government may fill the vacancy by appointing another person thereto in
accordance with the provisions of sub-section (2), and any proceeding may be continued before the
Tribunal, so constituted, from the stage at which the vacancy occurred.

(4) The Tribunal may, for the purpose of determining any compensation payable under this Part,

choose one or more persons having special knowledge or experience of any relevant matter to assist it
in the determination of such compensation.

**36AI. Tribunal to have powers of a civil court.—(1) The Tribunal shall have the powers of a civil**

court, while trying a suit, under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in respect of the
following matters, namely:—

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;

(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;

(d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), or in any other law for the time being in

force, the Tribunal shall not compel the Central Government or the Reserve Bank,—

(a) to produce any books of account or other documents which the Central Government, or the

Reserve Bank, claims to be of a confidential nature;

(b) to make any such books or documents part of the record of the proceedings before the

Tribunal; or

(c) to give inspection of any such books or documents to any party before it or to any other

person.

**36AJ. Procedure of the Tribunal.—(1) The Tribunal shall have power to regulate its own**

procedure.

(2) The Tribunal may hold the whole or any part of its inquiry in camera.

(3) Any clerical or arithmetical error in any order of the Tribunal or any error arising therein from

any accidental slip or ommission may, at any time, be corrected by the Tribunal either of its own
motion or on the application of any of the parties.]

PART III

SUSPENSION OF BUSINESS AND WINDING UP OF BANKING COMPANIES

1[2[36B.] High Court defined.—In this Part and in Part IIIA, “High Court”, in relation to a banking

company, means the High Court exercising Jurisdiction in the place where the registered office of the
banking company is situated or, in the case of a banking company incorporated outside India, where its
principal place of business in India is situated.]

**37. Suspension of business.—(1) The [3][High Court] may on the application of a banking company**

which is temporarily unable to meet its obligations make an order (a copy of which it shall cause to be
forwarded to the Reserve Bank) staying the commencement or continuance of all actions and
proceedings against the company for a fixed period of time on such terms and conditions as it shall
think fit and proper, and may from time to time extend the period so however that the total period of
moratorium shall not exceed six months.

1. Ins. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 3.
2. Section 36A renumbered as section 36B by Act 33 of 1959, s. 24 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
3. Subs. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 4, for “Court”.

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(2) No such application shall be maintainable unless it is accompanied by a report of the Reserve

Bank indicating that in the opinion of the Reserve Bank the banking company will be able to pay its
debts if the application is granted:

Provided that the [1][High Court] may, for sufficient reasons, grant relief under this section even if

the application is not accompanied by such report, and where such relief is granted, the [1][High Court]
shall call for a report from the Reserve Bank on the affairs of the banking company, on receipt of which
it may either rescind any order already passed or pass such further orders thereon as may be just and
proper in the circumstances.

2[(3) When an application is made under sub-section (1), the High Court may appoint a special

officer who shall forthwith take into his custody or under his control all the assets, books, documents,
effects and actionable claims to which the banking company is or appears to be entitled and shall also
exercise such other powers as the High Court may deem fit to confer on him, having regard to the
interests of the depositors of the banking company.]

3[(4) Where the Reserve Bank is satisfied that the affairs of a banking company in respect of which

an order under sub-section (1) has been made, are being conducted in a manner detrimental to the
interests of the depositors, it may make an application to the High Court for the winding up of the
company, and where any such application is made, the High Court shall not make any order extending
the period for which the commencement or continuance of all actions and proceedings against the
company were stayed under that sub- section.]

4[38. Winding up by High Court.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 391

section 392, section 433 and section 583 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), but without prejudice
to its powers under sub-section (1) of section 37 of this Act, the High Court shall order the winding up
of a banking company—

(a) if the banking company is unable to pay its debts; or

(b) if an application for its winding up has been made by the Reserve bank under section 37 or

this section.

(2) The Reserve Bank shall make an application under this section for the winding up of a banking

company if it is directed so to do by an order under clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 35.

(3) The Reserve Bank may make an application under this section for the winding up of a banking

company—

(a) if the banking company—

(i) has failed to comply with the requirements specified in section 11; or

(ii) has by reason of the provisions of section 22 become disentitled to carry on banking

business in India; or

(iii) has been prohibited from receiving fresh deposits by an order under clause (a) of

sub-section (4) of section 35 or under clause (b) of sub-section (3A) of section 42 of the
Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934.); or

(iv) having failed to comply with any requirement of this Act other than the requirements

laid down in section 11, has continued such failure, or, having contravened any provision of
this Act has continued such contravention beyond such period or periods as may be specified in
that behalf by the Reserve Bank from time to time, after notice in writing of such failure or
contravention has been conveyed to the banking company; or

1. Subs. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 4, for “Court” (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
2. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
3. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 25 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
4. Subs. by s. 26, ibid., for section 38 (w.e.f. 1- 10-1959).

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(b) if in the opinion of the Reserve Bank—

(i) a compromise or arrangement sanctioned by a Court in respect of the banking company

cannot be worked satisfactorily with or without modifications; or

(ii) the returns, statements or information furnished to it under or in pursuance of the

provisions of this Act disclose that the banking company is unable to pay its debts; or

(iii) the continuance of the banking company is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors.

(4) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in section 434 of the Companies Act, 1956

(1 of 1956), a banking company shall be deemed to be unable to pay its debts if it has refused to meet
any lawful demand made at any of its offices or branches within two working days, if such demand is
made at a place where there is an office, branch or agency of the Reserve Bank, or within five working
days, if such demand is made elsewhere, and if the Reserve Bank certifies in writing that the banking
company is unable to pay its debts.

(5) A copy of every application made by the Reserve Bank under sub-section (1) shall be sent by

the Reserve Bank to the registrar.]

1[38A. Court Liquidator.—(1) There shall be attached to every High Court a court liquidator to be

appointed by the Central Government for the purpose of conducting all proceedings for the winding up
of banking companies and performing such other duties in reference thereto as the High Court may
impose.

2*  -  -  -  
(4) Where having regard to the number of banking companies wound up and other circumstances of

the case, the Central Government is of opinion that it is not necessary or expedient to attach for the time
being a court liquidator to a High Court, it may, from time to time, by notification in the Official
Gazette, direct that this section shall not have effect in relation to that High Court.]

**3[39. Reserve Bank to be official Liquidator.—4[(1)] Notwithstanding anything contained in**

section 38A of this Act or in section 448 or section 449 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), where
in any proceeding for the winding up by the High Court of a banking company, an application is made
by the Reserve Bank in this behalf, the Reserve Bank, the State Bank of India or any other bank notified
by the Central Government in this behalf or any individual, as stated in such application shall be
appointed as the official liquidator of the banking company in such proceeding and the liquidator, if
any, functioning in such proceeding shall vacate office upon such appointment.]

5[(2) Subject to such directions as may be made by the High Court, the remuneration of the official

liquidator appointed under this section, the cost and expenses of his establishment and the cost and
expenses of the winding up shall be met out of the assets of the banking company which is being wound
up, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force,
no fees shall be payable to the Central Government, out of the assets of the banking company.]

6[39A. Application of Companies Act to liquidators.—(1) All the provisions of the Companies

Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), relating to a liquidator, in so far as they are not inconsistent with this Act, shall
apply to or in relation to a liquidator appointed under section 38A or section 39.

1. Ins. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 6 (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
2. Omitted by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and Schedule (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
3. Section 39 has been amended by Acts 52 of 1953, sections 4 and 7; Act 23 of 1955, s. 53 and the Fourth Schedule; Act 79

of 1956, s. 43 and the Second Schedule; Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule; Act 33 of 1959, s. 27 and Act 37 of 1960,
s. 2 to read as above.

4. Section 39 re-numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 58 of 1968, s. 16 (retrospectively).
5. Ins. by s. 16, ibid. (with retrospective effect).
6. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 28 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).

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(2) Any reference to the “official liquidator” in this Part and Part IIIA shall be construed as

including a reference to any liquidator of a banking company.]

**40. Stay of proceedings.— Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in [1][section 466 of**

the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)], the [2][High Court] shall not make any order staying the
proceedings in relation to the winding up of a banking company, unless the [2][High Court] is satisfied
that an arrangement has been made whereby the company can pay its depositors in full as their claims
accrue.

3[41. Preliminary report by official liquidator.—Notwithstanding anything to the contrary

contained in section 455 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), where a winding up order has been
made in respect of a banking company whether before or after the commencement of the Banking
Companies (Second Amendment) Act, 1960 (37 of 1960), the official liquidator shall submit a
preliminary report to the High Court within two months from the date of the winding up order or where
the winding up order has been made before such commencement, within two months from such
commencement, giving the information required by that section so far as it is available to him and also
stating the amount of assets of the banking company in cash which are in his custody or under his
control on the date of the report and the amount of its assets which are likely to be collected in cash
before the expiry of that period of two months in order that such assets may be applied speedily towards
the making of preferential payments under section 530 of the Companies Act, 1956 and in the
discharge, as far as possible, of the liabilities and obligations of the banking company to its depositors
and other creditors in accordance with the provisions hereinafter contained; and the official liquidator
shall make for the purposes aforesaid every endeavour to collect in cash as much of the assets of the
banking company as practicable.

**41A. Notice to preferential claimants and secured and unsecured creditors.—(1) Within fifteen**

days from the date of the winding up order of a banking company or where the winding up order has
been made before the commencement of the Banking Companies (Second Amendment) Act, 1960 (37
of 1960), within one month from such commencement, the official liquidator shall, for the purpose of
making an estimate of the debts and liabilities of the banking company (other than its liabilities and
obligations to its depositors), by notice served in such manner as the Reserve Bank may direct, call
upon—

(a) every claimant entitled to preferential payment under section 530 of the Companies Act,

1956 (1 of 1956), and

(b) every secured and every unsecured creditor,

to send to the official liquidator within one month from the date of the service of the notice a statement
of the amount claimed by him.

(2) Every notice under sub-section (1) sent to a claimant having a claim under section 530 of the

Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), shall state that if a statement of the claim is not sent to the official
liquidator before the expiry of the period of one month from the date of the service, the claim shall not
be treated as a claim entitled to be paid under section 530 of the Companies Act, 1956, in priority to all
other debts but shall be treated as an ordinary debt due by the banking company.

(3) Every notice under sub-section (1) sent to a secured creditor shall require him to value his

security before the expiry of the period of one month from the date of the service of the notice and shall
state that if a statement of the claim together with the valuation of the security is not sent to the official
liquidator before the expiry of the said period, then, the official liquidator shall himself value the
security and such valuation shall be binding on the creditor.

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and Schedule, for “section 173 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

2. Subs. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 4, for “Court” (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
3. Subs. by Act 37 of 1960, s. 3, for s. 41.

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(4) If a claimant fails to comply with the notice sent to him under sub-section (1), his claim will not

be entitled to be paid under section 530 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), in priority to all other
debts but shall be treated as an ordinary debt due by the banking company; and if a secured creditor
fails to comply with the notice sent to him under sub-section (1), the official liquidator shall himself
value the security and such valuation shall be binding on the creditor.]

**42. Power to dispense with meetings of creditors, etc.—Notwithstanding anything to the contrary**

contained in [1][ [2][section 460] of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)], the [3][High Court] may, in the
proceedings for winding up a banking company, dispense with any meetings of creditors or
contributories [4]*** if it considers that no object will be secured thereby sufficient to justify the delay
and expense.

5[43. Booked depositors' credits to be deemed proved.—In any proceeding for the winding up of

a banking company, every depositor of the banking company shall be deemed to have filed his claim for
the amount shown in the books of the banking company as standing to his credit and, notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in [6][section 474 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)] the High
Court shall presume such claims to have been proved, unless the official liquidator shows that there is
reason for doubting its correctness.]

7[43A. Preferential payments to depositors.—(1) In every proceeding for the winding-up of a

banking company where a winding up order has been made, whether before or after the commencement
of the Banking Companies (Second Amendment) Act, 1960 (37 of 1960), within three months from the
date of the winding up order or where the winding up order has been made before such commencement,
within three months therefrom, the preferential payments referred to in section 530 of the Companies
Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), in respect of which statements of claims have been sent within one month from
the date of the service of the notice referred to in section 41A, shall be made by the official liquidator or
adequate provision for such payments shall be made by him.

(2) After the preferential payments as aforesaid have been made or adequate provision has been

made in respect thereof, there shall be paid within the aforesaid period of three months—

(a) in the first place, to every depositor in the savings bank account of the banking company a

sum of two hundred and fifty rupees or the balance at his credit, whichever is less; and thereafter,

(b) in the next place, to every other depositor of the banking company a sum of two hundred

and fifty rupees or the balance at his credit, whichever is less,

in priority to all other debts from out of the remaining assets of the banking company available for
payment to general creditors:

Provided that the sum total of the amounts paid under clause (a) and clause (b) to any one person

who in his own name (and not jointly with any other person) is a depositor in the savings bank account
of the banking company and also a depositor in any other account, shall not exceed the sum of two
hundred and fifty rupees.

(3) Where within the aforesaid period of three months full payment cannot be made of the amounts

required to be paid under clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (2) with the assets in cash, the official
liquidator shall pay within that period to every depositor under that clause (a) or, as the case may be,
clause (b) of that sub-section on a _pro rata basis so much of the amount due to the_

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “sections 178A and 183 of the Indian Companies Act 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 33, for “sections 460, 464, and 465” (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Subs. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 4, for “Court” (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
4. The words “or with the appointment of a committee of inspection” omitted by Act 1 of 1984, s. 33 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
5. Subs. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 8, for section 43 (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
6. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “section 191 of the Indian Companies Act 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

7. Subs. by Act 37 of 1960, s. 4, for section 43A (w.e.f. 19-9-1960).

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depositor under that clause as the official liquidator is able to pay with those assets; and shall pay the
rest of that amount to every such depositor as and when sufficient assets are collected by the official
liquidator in cash.

(4) After payments have been made first to depositors in the savings bank account and then to the

other depositors in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the remaining assets of the banking
company available for payment to general creditors shall be utilised for payment on a pro rata basis of
the debts of the general creditors and of the further sums, if any, due to the depositors; and after making
adequate provision for payment on a pro rata basis as aforesaid of the debts of the general creditors, the
official liquidator shall, as and when the assets of the company are collected in cash, make payment on
a _pro rata basis as aforesaid, of the further sums, if any, which may remain due to the depositors_
referred to in clause (a) and clause (b) of sub-section (2).

(5) In order to enable the official liquidator to have in his custody or under his control in cash as

much of the assets of the banking company as possible, the securities given to every secured creditor
may be redeemed by the official liquidator—

(a) where the amount due to the creditor is more than the value of the securities as assessed by

him or, as the case may be, as assessed by the official liquidator, on payment of such value; and

(b) where the amount due to the creditor is equal to or less than the value of the securities as so

assessed, on payment of the amount due:
Provided that where the official liquidator is not satisfied with the valuation made by the creditor,

he may apply to the High Court for making a valuation.

(6) When any claimant, creditor or depositor to whom any payment is to be made in accordance

with [1][the provisions of this section], cannot be found or is not readily traceable, adequate provision
shall be made by the official liquidator for such payment.

(7) For the purposes of this section, the payments specified in each of the following clauses shall be

treated as payments of a different class, namely:—

(a) payments to preferential claimants under section 530 of the Companies Act, 1956

(1 of 1956);

(b) payments under clause (a) of sub-section (2) to the depositors in the savings bank account;
(c) payments under clause (b) of sub-section (2) to the other depositors;
(d) payments to the general creditors and payments to the depositors in addition to those

specified in clause (a) and clause (b) of sub-section (2).
(8) The payments of each different class specified in sub-section (7) shall rank equally among

themselves and be paid in full unless the assets are insufficient to meet them, in which case they shall
abate in equal proportion.]]

2[(9) Nothing contained in sub-sections (2), (3), (4), (7) and (8) shall apply to a banking company in

respect of the depositors of which the Deposit Insurance Corporation is liable under section 16 of the
Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 1961 (47 of 1961).

(10) After preferential payments referred to in sub-section (1) have been made or adequate

provision has been made in respect thereof, the remaining assets of the banking company referred to in
sub-section (9) available for payment to general creditors shall be utilised for payment on _pro rata_
basis of the debts of the general creditors and of the sums due to the depositors:

Provided that where any amount in respect of any deposit is to be paid by the liquidator to the

Deposit Insurance Corporation under section 21 of the Deposit Insurance Corporation Act,
1961 (47 of 1961), only the balance, if any, left after making the said payment shall be payable to the
depositor.]

1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1961, s. 51 and Second Schedule, for “the foregoing provisions” (w.e.f. 1-1-1962).
2. Ins. by s. 51 and the Second Schedule, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-1-1962).

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1[44. Powers of High Court in voluntary winding up.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the

contrary contained in section 484 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), no banking company may be
voluntarily wound up unless the Reserve Bank certifies in writing that the company is able to pay in full
all its debts to its creditors as they accrue.

(2) The High Court may, in any case where a banking company is being wound up voluntarily,

make an order that the voluntary winding up shall continue, but subject to the supervision of the court.

(3) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sections 441 and 521 of the Companies Act,

1956 (1 of 1956), the High Court may of its own motion and shall on the application of the Reserve
Bank, order the winding up of a banking company by the High Court in any of the following cases,
namely:—

(a) where the banking company is being wound up voluntarily and at any stage during the

voluntary winding up proceedings the company is not able to meet its debts as they accrue; or

(b) where the banking company is being wound up voluntarily or is being wound up subject to

the supervision of the court and the High Court is satisfied that the voluntary winding up or winding
up subject to the supervision of the court cannot be continued without detriment to the interests of
the depositors.]

2[44A. Procedure for amalgamation of banking companies.—(1) Notwithstanding anything

contained in any law for the time being in force, no banking company shall be amalgamated with
another banking company, unless a scheme containing the terms of such amalgamation has been placed
in draft before the shareholders of each of the banking companies concerned separately, and approved
by a resolution passed by a majority in number representing two-thirds in value of the shareholders of
each of the said companies, present either in person or by proxy at a meeting called for the purpose.

(2) Notice of every such meeting as is referred to in sub-section (1) shall be given to every

shareholder of each of the banking companies concerned in accordance with the relevant articles of
association indicating the time, place and object of the meeting, and shall also be published at least once
a week for three consecutive weeks in not less than two newspapers which circulate in the locality or
localities where the registered offices of the banking companies concerned are situated, one of such
newspapers being in a language commonly understood in the locality or localities.

(3) Any shareholder, who has voted against the scheme of amalgamation at the meeting or has

given notice in writing at or prior to the meeting to the company concerned or to the presiding officer of
the meeting that he dissents from the scheme of amalgamation, shall be entitled, in the event of the
scheme being sanctioned by the Reserve Bank, to claim from the banking company concerned, in
respect of the shares held by him in that company, their value as determined by the Reserved Bank
when sanctioning the scheme and such determination by the Reserve Bank as to the value of the shares
to be paid to the dissenting share holder shall be final for all purposes.

(4) If the scheme of amalgamation is approved by the requisite majority of shareholders in

accordance with the provisions of this section it shall be submitted to the Reserve Bank for sanction and
shall, if sanctioned by the Reserve Bank by an order in writing passed in this behalf, be bindings on the
banking companies concerned and also on all the shareholders thereof.

3*  -  -  -  
(6) On the sanctioning of a scheme of amalgamation by the Reserve Bank, the property of the

amalgamated banking company shall, by virtue of the order of sanction, be transferred to and vest in,
and the liabilities of the said company shall, by virtue of the said order be transferred to, and become
the liabilities of, the banking company which under the scheme of amalgamation is to acquire the

1. Subs. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 30, for section 44 (w.e.f. 1- 10-1959).
2. Ins. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 8.
3. Omitted by Act 55 of 1963, s. 19 (w.e.f. 1-2- 1964).

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business of the amalgamated banking company, subject in all cases to [1][the provisions of the scheme as
sanctioned].]

2[(6A) Where a scheme of amalgamation is sanctioned by the Reserve Bank under the provisions of

this section, the Reserve Bank may, by a further order in writing, direct that on such date as may be
specified therein the banking company (hereinafter in this section referred to as the amalgamated
banking company) which by reason of the amalgamation will cease to function, shall stand dissolved
and any such direction shall take effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other
law.

(6B) Where the Reserve Bank directs a dissolution of the amalgamated banking company, it shall

transmit a copy of the order directing such dissolution to the Registrar before whom the banking
company has been registered and on receipt of such order the Registrar shall strike off the name of the
company.

(6C) An order under sub-section (4) whether made before or after the commencement of section 19

of the Banking Laws (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1963 (55 of 1963) shall be conclusive evidence
that all the requirements of this section relating to amalgamation have been complied with, and a copy
of the said order certified in writing by an officer of the Reserve Bank to be true copy of such order and
a copy of the scheme certified in the like manner to be a true copy thereof shall, in all legal proceedings
(whether in appeal or otherwise and whether instituted before or after the commencement of the said
section 19), be admitted as evidence to the same extent as the original order and the original scheme.]

3[(7) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall affect the power of the Central

Government to provide for the amalgamation of two or more banking companies [4]*** under section
396 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);

Provided that no such power shall be exercised by the Central Government except after consultation

with the Reserve Bank.]

5[ 6[44B.] Restriction on compromise or arrangement between banking company and

**creditors.—[7][(1)] Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no [8][High**
Court] shall sanction a compromise or arrangement between a banking company and its creditors or any
class of them or between such company and its members or any class of them [9][or sanction any
modification in any such compromise or arrangement unless the compromise or arrangement or
modification, as the case may be,] is certified by the Reserve Bank [10][in writing as not being incapable
of being worked and as not being detrimental to the interests of the depositors of such banking
company].]

11[(2) Where an application under 12[section 391 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)] is made

in respect of a banking company, the High Court may direct the Reserve Bank to make an inquiry in
relation to the affairs of the banking company and the conduct of its directors and when such a direction
is given, the Reserve Bank shall make such inquiry and submit its report to the High Court.]

1. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 19, for “the terms of the order sanctioning the scheme” (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
2. Ins. by s. 19, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
3. Ins. by Act 37 of 1960, s. 5 (w.e.f. 19-9-1960).
4. The words “in national interest” omitted by Act 7 of 1961, s. 3 (w.e.f. 24-3-1961).
5. Subs. by Act 20 of 1950, s. 9, for section 45 (w.e.f. 18-3-1950).
6. Section 45 renumbered as section 44B by Act 37 of 1960, s. 6 (w.e.f.19-9-1960).
7. Section 44B re-numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 52 of 1953, s. 9 (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
8. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “Court” (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
9. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 20, for “unless the compromise or arrangement” (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
10. Subs. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 9, for “as not being detrimental to the interests of the depositors of such company”

(w.e.f. 30-11-1953).

11. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
12. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “section 153 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

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1[45. Power of Reserve Bank to apply to Central Government for suspension of business by a

**banking company and to prepare scheme of** **2[reconstruction] or amalgamation.—(1)**

Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions of this Part or in any other law or
3[any agreement or other instrument], for the time being in force, where it appears to the Reserve Bank
that there is good reason so to do, the Reserve Bank may apply to the Central Government for an order
of moratorium in respect of [4][a banking company].

(2) The Central Government, after considering the application made by the Reserve Bank under

sub-section (1), may make an order of moratorium staying the commencement or continuance of all
actions and proceedings against the company for a fixed period of time on such terms and conditions as
it thinks fit and proper and may from time to time extend the period so however that the total period of
moratorium shall not exceed six months.

(3) Except as otherwise provided by any directions given by the Central Government in the order

made by it under sub-section (2) or at any time thereafter, the banking company shall not during the
period of moratorium make any payment to any depositors or discharge any liabilities or obligations to
any other creditors [5][or grant any loans or advances or make investments in any credit instruments].

6[(4) During the period of moratorium 5[or at any other time], if the Reserve Bank is satisfied that—

(a) in the public interest; or

(b) in the interests of the depositors; or

(c) in order to secure the proper management of the banking company; or

(d) in the interests of the banking system of the country as a whole,

it is necessary so to do, the Reserve Bank may prepare a scheme—

(i) for the reconstruction of the banking company, or

(ii) for the amalgamation of the banking company with any other banking institution (in

this section referred to as “the transferee bank”).]

(5) The scheme aforesaid may contain provisions for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

(a) the constitution, name and registered office, the capital, assets, powers, rights, interests,

authorities and privileges, the liabilities, duties and obligations of the banking company on its
reconstruction or, as the case may be, of the transferee bank;

(b) in the case of amalgamation of the banking company, the transfer to the transferee bank of

the business, properties, assets and liabilities of the banking company on such terms and conditions
as may be specified in the scheme;

(c) and change in the Board of directors, or the appointment of a new Board of directors, of the

banking company on its reconstruction or, as the case may be, of the transferee bank and the
authority by whom, the manner in which, and the other terms and conditions on which, such change
or appointment shall be made and in the case of appointment of a new Board of directors or of any
director, the period for which such appointment shall be made;

1. Ins. by Act 37 of 1960, s. 6 (w.e.f. 19-9-1960).
2. subs. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 3, for “reconstitution” (w.e.f. 26-6-2020).
3. Subs. by Act 7 of 1961, s. 4, for “any agreement” (w.e.f. 24-3-1961).
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “the banking company”(w.e.f. 24-3-1961).
5. Ins. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 3 (w.e.f. 26-6-2020).
6. Subs. by Act 7 of 1961, s. 4, for sub-sections (4) to (9) (w.e.f. 24-3-1961).

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(d) the alteration of the memorandum and articles of association of the banking company on its

reconstruction or, as the case may be, of the transferee bank for the purpose of altering the capital
thereof or for such other purposes as may be necessary to give effect to the reconstruction or
amalgamation;

(e) subject to the provisions of the scheme, the continuation by or against the banking company

on its reconstruction or, as the case may be, the transferee bank, of any actions or proceedings
pending against the banking company immediately before the [1][reconstruction or amalgamation];

(f) the reduction of the interest or rights which the members depositors and other creditors have

in or against the banking company before its reconstruction or amalgamation to such extent as the
Reserve Bank considers necessary in the public interest or in the interests of the members,
depositors and other creditors or for the maintenance of the business of the banking company;

(g) the payment in cash or otherwise to depositors and other creditors in full satisfaction of their

claim—

(i) in respect of their interest or rights in or against the banking company before its

reconstruction or amalgamation; or

(ii) where their interest or rights aforesaid in or against the banking company has or have

been reduced under clause (f), in respect of such interest or rights as so reduced;
(h) the allotment to the members of the banking company for shares held by them therein

before its reconstruction or amalgamation [whether their interest in such shares has been reduced
under clause (f) or not], of shares in the banking company on its reconstruction or, as the case may
be, in the transferee bank and where any members claim payment in cash and not allotment of
shares, or where it is not possible to allot shares to any members, the payment in cash to those
members in full satisfaction of their claim—

(i) in respect of their interest in shares in the banking company before its reconstruction or

amalgamation; or

(ii) where such interest has been reduced under clause (f) in respect of their interest in

shares as so reduced;
(i) the continuance of the services of all the employees of the banking company (excepting such

of them as not being workmen within the meaning of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947)
are specifically mentioned in the scheme) in the banking company itself on its reconstruction or, as
the case may be, in the transferee bank at the same remuneration and on the same terms and
conditions of service, which they were getting or, as the case may be, by which they were being
governed, immediately before the [1][reconstruction or amalgamation]:

Provided that the scheme shall contain a provision that—
(i) the banking company shall pay or grant not later than the expiry of the period of three years

from the date on which the scheme is sanctioned by the Central Government, to the said employees
the same remuneration and the same terms and conditions of service [2][as are, at the time of such
payment or grant, applicable] to employees of corresponding rank or status of a comparable
banking company to be determined for this purpose by the Reserve Bank (whose determination in
this respect shall be final);

(ii) the transferee bank shall pay or grant not later than the expiry of the aforesaid period of

three years, to the said employees the same remuneration and the same terms and conditions of
service [2][as are, at the time of such payment or grant, applicable] to the other employees of
corresponding rank or status of the transferee bank subject to the qualifications and experience of
the said employees being the same as or equivalent to those of such other employees of the
transferee bank:

1. Subs. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 3, for “date of the order of moratorium” (w.e.f. 26-6-2020).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 34, for “as are applicable” (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

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Provided further that if in any case under clause (ii) of the first proviso any doubt or difference

arises as to whether the qualification and experience of any of the said employees are the same as or
equivalent to the qualifications and experience of the other employees of corresponding rank or
status of the transferee bank, [1][the doubt or difference shall be referred, before the expiry of a
period of three years from the date of the payment or grant mentioned in that clause,] to the Reserve
Bank whose decision thereon shall be final;

(j) notwithstanding anything contained in clause (i) where any of the employees of the banking

company not being workmen within the meaning of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947)
are specifically mentioned in the scheme under clause (i), or where any employees of the banking
company have by notice in writing given to the banking company or, as the case may be, the
transferee bank at any time before the expiry of the one month next following the date on which the
scheme is sanctioned by the Central Government, intimated their intention of not becoming
employees of the banking company on its reconstruction or, as the case may be, of the transferee
bank, the payment to such employees of compensation if any, to which they are entitled under the
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), and such pension, gratuity, provident fund and other
retirement benefits ordinarily admissible to them under the rules or authorisations of the banking
company immediately before the [2][reconstruction or amalgamation];

(k) any other terms and conditions for the reconstruction or amalgamation of the banking

company;

(l) such incidental, consequential and supplemental matters as are necessary to secure that the

reconstruction or amalgamation shall be fully and effectively carried out.

(6) (a) A copy of the scheme prepared by the Reserve Bank shall be sent in draft to the banking

company and also to the transferee bank and any other banking company concerned in the
3[reconstruction or amalgamation], for suggestions and objections, if any, within such period as the
Reserve Bank may specify for this purpose.

(b) The Reserve Bank may make such modifications, if any, in the draft scheme as it may consider

necessary in the light of the suggestions and objections received from the banking company and also
from the transferee bank, and any other banking company concerned in the amalgamation and from any
members, depositors or other creditors of each of those companies and the transferee bank.

(7) The scheme shall thereafter be placed before the Central Government for its sanction and the

Central Government may sanction the scheme without any modifications or with such modifications as
it may consider necessary; and the scheme as sanctioned by the Central Government shall come into
force on such date as the Central Government may specify in this behalf:

Provided that different dates may be specified for different provisions of the scheme.

4[(7A) The sanction accorded by the Central Government under sub-section (7), whether before or

after the commencement of section 21 of the Banking Laws (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1963
(55 of 1963), shall be conclusive evidence that all the requirements of this section relating to
reconstruction, or, as the case may be, amalgamation have been complied with and a copy of the
sanctioned scheme certified in writing by an officer of the Central Government to be a true copy
thereof, shall, in all legal proceedings (whether in appeal or otherwise and whether instituted before or
after the commencement of the said section 21), be admitted as evidence to the same extent as the
original scheme.]

1. Subs. by Act 11 of 1984, s. 34, for “the doubt or difference shall be referred” (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
2. Subs. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 3, for “date of the order of moratorium” (w.e.f. 26-6-2020).
3. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “amalgamation” (w.e.f. 26-6-2020).
4. Ins. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 21 (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).

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(8) On and from the date of the coming into operation of the scheme or any provision thereof, the

scheme or such provision shall be binding on the banking company or, as the case may be, on the
transferee bank and any other banking company concerned in the amalgamation and also on all the
members, depositors and other creditors and employees of each of those companies and of the
transferee bank, and on any other person having any right or liability in relation to any of those
companies or the transferee bank [1][including the trustees or other persons managing, or connected in
any other manner with, any provident fund or other fund maintained by any of those companies or the
transferee bank.]

(9) [2][On and from the date of the coming into operation of, or as the case may be, the date specified

in this behalf in the scheme] the properties and assets of the banking company shall, by virtue of and to
the extent provided in the scheme, stand transferred to, and vest in, and the liabilities of the banking
company shall, by virtue of and to the extent provided in the scheme, stand transferred to, and become
the liabilities of the transferee bank.

(10) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of the scheme, the Central Government

may by order do anything not inconsistent with such provisions which appears to it necessary or
expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty.

(11) Copies of the scheme or of any order made under sub-section (10) shall be laid before both

Houses of Parliament, as soon as may be, after the scheme has been sanctioned by the Central
Government, or, as the case may be, the order has been made.

(12) Where the scheme is a scheme for amalgamation of the banking company, any business

acquired by the transferee bank under the scheme or under any provision thereof shall, after the coming
into operation of the scheme or such provision, be carried on by the transferee bank in accordance with
the law governing the transferee bank, subject to such modifications in that law or such exemptions of
the transferee bank from the operation of any provisions thereof as the Central Government on the
recommendation of the Reserve Bank may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make for the purpose
of giving full effect to the scheme:

Provided that no such modification or exemption shall be made so as to have effect for a period of

more than seven years from the date of the acquisition of such business.

(13) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the amalgamation with a banking institution

by a single scheme of several banking companies in respect of each of which an order of moratorium
has been made under this section.

(14) The provisions of this section and of any scheme made under it shall have effect

notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other provisions of this Act or in any other
law or any agreement, award or other instrument for the time being in force.

(15) In this section, “banking institution” means any banking company and includes the State Bank

of India [3]*** [2][or a corresponding new bank].

1[Explanation.—References in this section to the terms and conditions of service of as applicable to

an employee shall not be construed as extending to the rank and status of such employee.]

4[PART IIIA

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR SPEEDY DISPOSAL OF WINDING UP PROCEEDINGS

**45A. Part IIIA to override other laws.—The provisions of this Part and the rules made thereunder**

shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the

1. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 34 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
2. Subs. by s. 34, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f 15-2-1984).
3. The words “or a subsidiary bank” omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 3 (w.e.f. 26-6-2020).
4. Subs. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 10, for Part IIIA (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).

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1[Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)] or the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) of the
2[Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)] or any other law for the time being in force or any
instrument having effect by virtue of any such law; but the provisions of any such law or instrument in
so far as the same are not varied by, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Part or rules made
thereunder shall apply to all proceedings under this Part.

**45B. Power of High Court to decide all claims in respect of banking companies.—The High**

Court shall, save as otherwise expressly provided in section 45C, have exclusive jurisdiction to
entertain and decide any claim made by or against a banking company which is being wound up
(including claims by or against any of its branches in India) or any application made under [3][section 391
of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)] by or in respect of a banking company or any question of
priorities or any other question whatsoever, whether of law or fact, which may relate to or arise in the
course of the winding up of a banking company, whether such claim or question has arisen or arises or
such application has been made or is made before or after the date of the order for the winding up of the
banking company or before or after the commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act,
1953 (52 of 1953).

**45C. Transfer of pending proceedings.—(1) Where a winding up order is made or has been made**

in respect of a banking company, no suit or other legal proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in respect
of which the High Court has jurisdiction under this Act and which is pending in any other court
immediately before the commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1953 (52 of
1953), or the date of the order for the winding up of the banking company, whichever is later, shall be
proceeded with except in the manner hereinafter provided.

(2) The official liquidator shall, within three months from the date of the winding up order or the

commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1953 (52 of 1953), whichever is later, or
such further time as the High Court may allow, submit to the High Court a report containing a list of all
such pending proceedings together with particulars thereof.

(3) On receipt of a report under sub-section (2), the High Court may, if it so thinks fit, give the

parties concerned an opportunity to show cause why the proceedings should not be transferred to itself
and after making an inquiry in such manner as may be provided by rules made under section 45U, it
shall make such order as it deems fit transferring to itself all or such of the pending proceedings as may
be specified in the order and such proceedings shall thereafter be disposed of by the High Court.

(4) If any proceeding pending in a court is not so transferred to the High Court under

sub-section (3), such proceeding shall be continued in the court in which the proceeding was pending.

(5) Nothing in this section shall apply to any proceeding pending in appeal before the Supreme

Court or a High Court.

**45D. Settlement of list of debtors.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any**

law for the time being in force, the High Court may settle in the manner hereinafter provided a list of
debtors of a banking company which is being wound up.

(2) Subject to any rules that may be made under section 52, the official liquidator shall, within six

months from the date of the winding up order or the commencement of the Banking Companies
(Amendment) Act, 1953 (52 of 1953), whichever is later, from time to time, file 88H to the High Court
lists of debtors containing such particulars as are specified in the Fourth Schedule:

Provided that such lists may, with the leave of the High Court, be filed after the expiry of the said

period of six months.

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)” (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 35, for “Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (5 of 1898)” (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “section 153 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

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(3) On receipt of any list under sub-section (2), the High Court shall, wherever necessary, cause

notices to be issued on all persons affected and after making an inquiry in such manner as may be
provided by rules made under section 45U, it shall make an order settling the list of debtors:

Provided that nothing in this section shall debar the High Court from settling any such list in part as

against such of the persons whose debts have been settled without settling the debts of all the persons
placed on the list.

(4) At the time of the settlement of any such list, the High Court shall pass an order for the payment

of the amount due by each debtor and make such further orders as may be necessary in respect of the
relief claimed, including reliefs against any guarantor or in respect of the realisation of any security.

(5) Every such order shall, subject to the provisions for appeal, be final and binding for all purposes

as between the banking company on the one hand and the person against whom the order is passed and
all persons claiming through or under him on the other hand, and shall be deemed to be a decree in a
suit.

(6) In respect of every such order, the High Court shall issue a certificate specifying clearly the

reliefs granted and the names and descriptions of the parties whom such reliefs have been granted, the
amount of costs awarded and by whom, and out of what funds and in what proportions, such costs are
to be paid; and every such certificate shall be deemed to be a certified copy of the decree for all
purposes including execution.

(7) At the time of settling the list of debtors or at any other time prior or subsequent thereto, the

High Court shall have power to pass any order in respect of a debtor on the application of the official
liquidator for the realisation, management, protection, preservation or sale of any property given as
security to the banking company and to give such powers to the official liquidator to carry out the
aforesaid directions as the High Court thinks fit.

(8) The High Court shall have power to sanction a compromise in respect of any debt and to order

the payment of any debt by instalments.

(9) In any case in which any such list is settled _ex parte as against any person, such person may,_

within thirty days from the date of the order settling the list, apply to the High Court for an order to vary
such list, so far as it concerns him, and if the High Court is satisfied that he was prevented by any
sufficient cause from appearing on the date fixed for the settlement of such list and that he has a good
defence to the claim of the banking company on merits, the High Court may vary the list and pass such
orders in relation thereto as it thinks fit:

Provided that the High Court may, if it so thinks fit, entertain the application after the expiry of the

said period of thirty days.

(10) Nothing in this section shall—

(a) apply to a debt which has been secured by a mortgage of immovable property, if a third

party has any interest in such immovable property; or

(b) prejudice the rights of the official liquidator to recover any debt due to a banking company

under any other law for the time being in force.

**45E. Special provisions to make calls on contributories.— Notwithstanding that the list of the**

contributories has not been settled under [1][section 467 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)], the
High Court may, if it appears to it necessary or expedient so to do, at any time after making a winding
up order, make a call on and order payment thereof by any contributory under sub-section (1) of
2[section 470 of the Companies Act, 1956] if such contributory has been placed on the list of
contributories by the official liquidator and has not appeared to dispute his liability.

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “section 184 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

2. Subs. by s. 14 and the Schedule, ibid., for “section 187 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)” (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

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**45F. Documents of banking company to be evidence.—(1) Entries in the books of account or**

other documents of a banking company which is being wound up shall be admitted in evidence in all
1[legal proceedings]; and all such entries may be proved either by the production of the books of
account or other documents of the banking company containing such entries or by the production of a
copy of the entries, certified by the official liquidator under his signature and stating that it is a true
copy of the original entries and that such original entries are contained in the books of account or other
documents of the banking company in his possession.

(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of

1872) all such entries in the books of account or other documents of a banking company shall, as
against the directors [2][officers and other employees] of the banking company in respect of which the
winding up order has been made [3]***, be prima facie evidence of the truth of all matters purporting to
be therein recorded.

**45G. Public examination of directors and auditors.—(1) Where an order has been made for the**

winding up of a banking company, the official liquidator shall submit a report whether in his opinion
any loss has been caused to the banking company since its formation by any act or omission (whether or
not a fraud has been committed by such act or omission) of any person in the promotion or formation of
the banking company or of any director or auditor of the banking company.

(2) If, on consideration of the report submitted under sub-section (1), the High Court is of opinion

that any person who has taken part in the promotion or formation of the banking company or has been a
director or an auditor of the banking company should be publicly examined, it shall hold a public sitting
on a date to be appointed for that purpose and direct that such person, director or auditor shall attend
thereat and shall be publicly examined as to the promotion or formation or the conduct of the business
of the banking company, or as to his conduct and dealings, in so far as they relate to the affairs of the
banking company:

Provided that no such person shall be publicly examined unless he has been given an opportunity to

show cause why he should not be so examined.

(3) The official liquidator shall take part in the examination and for that purpose may, if specially

authorised by the High Court in that behalf, employ such legal assistance as may be sanctioned by the
High Court.

(4) Any creditor or contributory may also take part in the examination either personally or by any

person entitled to appear before the High Court.

(5) The High Court may put such questions to the person examined as it thinks fit.

(6) The person examined shall be examined on oath and shall answer all such questions as the High

Court may put or allow to be put to him.

(7) A person ordered to be examined under this section may, at his own cost, employ any person

entitled to appear before the High Court who shall be at liberty to put to him such questions as the High
Court may deem just for the purpose of enabling him to explain or qualify any answer given by him:

Provided that if he is, in the opinion of the High Court, exculpated from any charges made or

suggested against him, the High Court may allow him such costs in its discretion as it may deem fit.

(8) Notes of the examination shall be taken down in writing, and shall be read over to or by, and

signed by, the person examined and may thereafter be used in evidence against him in any

1. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 22, for “proceedings by or against the banking company” (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
2. Ins. by s. 22, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
3. The words, brackets and figures “before the commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1953” omitted

by s. 22, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).

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proceeding, civil or criminal, and shall be open to the inspection of any creditor or contributory at all
reasonable times.

(9) Where on such examination, the High Court is of opinion (whether a fraud has been committed

or not)—

(a) that a person, who has been a director of the banking company, is not fit to be a director of a

company, or

(b) that a person, who has been an auditor of the banking company or a partner of a firm acting

as such auditor, is not fit to act as an auditor of a company or to be a partner of a firm acting as such
auditor,

the High Court may make an order that person shall not, without the leave of the High Court, be a
director of, or in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned or take part in the management
of any company or, as the case may be, act as an auditor of, or be a partner of a firm acting as auditors
of, any company for such period not exceeding five years as may be specified in the order.

**45H. Special provisions for assessing damages against delinquent directors, etc.—(1) Where an**

application is made to the High Court under [1][section 543 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)]
against any promoter, director, manager, liquidator or officer of a banking company for repayment or
restoration of any money or property and the applicant makes out a _prima facie case against such_
person, the High Court shall make an order against such person to repay and restore the money or
property unless he proves that he is not liable to make the repayment or restoration either wholly or in
part:

Provided that where such an order is made jointly against two or more such persons, they shall be

jointly and severally liable to make the repayment or restoration of the money or property.

(2) Where an application is made to the High Court under [1][section 543 of the Companies Act, 1956

(1 of 1956)] and the High Court has reason to believe that a property belongs to any promoter, director,
manager, liquidator or officer of the banking company, whether the property stands in the name of such
person or any other person as an ostensible owner, then the High Court may, at any time, whether
before or after making an order under sub-section (1), direct the attachment of such property, or such
portion thereof, as it thinks fit and the property so attached shall remain subject to attachment unless the
ostensible owner can prove to the satisfaction of the High Court that he is the real owner and the
provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) relating to attachment of property shall, as
far as may be, apply to such attachment.

**45-I. Duty of directors and officers of banking company to assist in the realisation of**

**property.—Every director or other officer of a banking company which is being wound up shall give**
such assistance to the official liquidator as he may reasonably require in connection with the realisation
and distribution of the property of the banking company.

**45J. Special provisions for punishing offences in relation to banking companies being wound**

**up.—(1) The High Court may, if it thinks fit, take cognizance of and try in a summary way any offence**
alleged to have been committed by any person who has taken part in the promotion or formation of the
banking company which is being wound up or by any director, manager or officer thereof:

Provided that the offence is one punishable under this Act or under the [2][Companies Act, 1956

(1 of 1956)].

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “section 235 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

2. Subs. by s. 14 and the Schedule, ibid., for “Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)” (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

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(2) When trying any such offence as aforesaid, the High Court may also try any other offence not

referred to in sub-section (1) which is an offence with which the accused may, under the [1][Code of
Criminal Procedure 1973 (2 of 1974)] be charged at the same trial.

(3) In any case tried summarily under sub-section (1), the High Court—

(a) need not summon any witness, if it is satisfied that the evidence of such witness will not be

material;

(b) shall not be bound to adjourn a trial for any purpose unless such adjournment is, in the

opinion of the High Court, necessary in the interests of justice;

(c) shall, before passing any sentence, record judgment embodying the substance of the

evidence and also the particulars specified in section 263 of the [1][Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
(2 of 1974)] so far as that section may be applicable,

and nothing contained in sub-section (2) of section 262 of the [1][Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
(2 of 1974)] shall apply to any such trial.

(4) All offences in relation to winding up alleged to have been committed by any person specified

in sub-section (1) which are punishable under this Act or under the [1][Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)]
and which are not tried in a summary way under sub-section (1) shall, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in that Act or the [1][Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)] or in any other
law for the time being in force, be taken cognizance of and tried by a Judge of the High Court other
than the Judge for the time being dealing with the proceedings for the winding up of the banking
company.

(5) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the [1][Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

(2 of 1974)], the High Court may take cognizance of any offence under this section without the accused
being committed to it for trial [2]***.

**45K. [Power of High Court to enforce schemes of arrangements, etc.]** _Omitted by the Banking_

_Companies (Amendment) Act, 1959 (33 of 1959), s. 31 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959)._

**45L. Public examination of directors and auditors, etc., in respect of a banking company**

**under schemes of arrangement.—(1) Where an application for sanctioning a compromise or**
arrangement in respect of a banking company is made under [3][section 391 of the Companies Act, 1956
(1 of 1956)] or where such sanction has been given and the High Court is of opinion, whether on a
report of the Reserve Bank or otherwise, that any person who has taken part in the promotion or
formation of the banking company or has been a director or auditor of the banking company should be
publicly examined, it may direct such examination of such person and the provisions of section 45G
shall, as far as may be, apply to the banking company as they apply to a banking company which is
being wound up.

(2) Where a compromise or arrangement is sanctioned under [3][section 391 of the Companies

Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)] in respect of a banking company, the provisions of [4][section 543 of the said Act]
and of section 45H of this Act shall, as far as may be, apply to the banking company as they apply to a
banking company which is being wound up as if the order sanctioning the compromise or arrangement
were an order for the winding up of the banking company.

1. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 35, for “Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898)” (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
2. The words “and all such trials shall be without the aid of a jury” omitted by s. 35, ibid. (w.e.f.15-2-1984).
3. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “section 153 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

4. Subs. by s. 14 and the Schedule, ibid., for “section 235of the said Act” (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

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1[(3) Where 2[a scheme of reconstruction or amalgamation of a banking company] has been

sanctioned by the Central Government under section 45 and the Central Government is of opinion that
any person who has taken part in the promotion or formation of the banking company or has been a
director or auditor of the banking company should be publicly examined, that Government may apply to
the High Court for the examination of such person and if on such examination the High Court finds
(whether a fraud has been committed or not) that person is not fit to be a director of a company or to act
as an auditor of a company or to be a partner of a firm acting as such auditors, the Central Government
shall make an order that that person shall not, without the leave of the Central Government, be a
director of, or in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned or take part in the management
of any company or, as the case may be, act as an auditor of, or be a partner of a firm acting as auditors
of, any company for such period not exceeding five years as may be specified in the order.

(4) Where [2][a scheme of reconstruction or amalgamation of a banking company] has been

sanctioned by the Central Government under section 45, the provisions of section 543 of the Companies
Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), and of section 45H of this Act shall, as far as may be, apply to the banking
company as they apply to a banking company which is being wound up as if the order sanctioning the
scheme of reconstruction or amalgamation as the case may be, were an order for the winding up of the
banking company; and any reference in the said section 543 to the application of the official liquidator
shall be construed as a reference to the application of the Central Government.]

**45M. Special provisions for banking companies working under schemes of arrangement at the**

**commencement of the Amendment Act.—Where any compromise or arrangement sanctioned in**
respect of a banking company under [3][section 391 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956),] is being
worked at the commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1953 (52 of 1953), the
High Court may, if it so thinks fit on the application of such banking company,—

(a) excuse any delay in carrying out any of the provisions of the compromise or arrangement; or

(b) allow the banking company to settle the list of its debtors in accordance with the provisions of

section 45D and in such a case, the provisions of the said section shall, as far as may be, apply to the
banking company as they apply to a banking company which is being wound up as if the order
sanctioning the compromise or arrangement were an order for the winding up of the banking company.

**45N. Appeals.—(1) An appeal shall lie from any order or decision of the High Court in a civil**

proceeding under this Act when the amount or value of the subject-matter of the claim exceeds five
thousand rupees.

(2) The High Court may by rules provide for an appeal against any order made under section 45J

and the conditions subject to which any such appeal would lie.

(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) and notwithstanding anything

contained in any other law for the time being in force, every order or decision of the High Court shall
be final and binding for all purposes as between the banking company on the one hand, and all persons
who are parties thereto and all persons claiming through or under them or any of them, on the other
hand.

**45-O. Special period of limitation.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the**

Indian Limitation Act, 1908 (9 of 1908) or in any other law for the time being in force, in

1. Ins. by Act 37 of 1960, s. 7 (w.e.f. 19-9-1960).
2. Subs. by Act 7 of 1961, s. 5, for “a scheme of reconstruction of a banking company or its amalgamation with another

banking company” (w.e.f. 24-3-1961).

3. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “section 153 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

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computing the period of limitation prescribed for a suit or application by a banking company which is
being wound up, the period commencing from the date of the presentation of the petition for the
winding up of the banking company shall be excluded.

(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Indian Limitation Act, 1908 (9 of

1908) or [1][section 543 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)] or in any other law for the time being in
force, there shall be no period of limitation for the recovery of arrears of calls from any director of a
banking company which is being wound up or for the enforcement by the banking company against any
of its directors of any claim based on a contract, express or implies; and in respect of all other claims by
the banking company against its directors, the period of limitation shall be twelve years from the date of
the accrual of such claims [2][or five years from the date of the first appointment of the liquidator,
whichever is longer].

(3) The provisions of this section, in so far as they relate to banking companies being wound up,

shall also apply to a banking company in respect of which a petition for the winding up has been
presented before the commencement of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1953 (52 of 1953).

**45P. Reserve Bank to tender advice in winding up proceedings.—Where in any proceeding for**

the winding up of a banking company in which any person other than the Reserve Bank has been
appointed as the official liquidator and the High Court has directed the official liquidator to obtain the
advice of the Reserve Bank on any matter (which it is hereby empowered to do), it shall be lawful for
the Reserve Bank to examine the record of any such proceeding and tender such advice on the matter as
it may think fit.

**45Q. Power to inspect.—(1) The Reserve Bank shall, on being directed so to do by the Central**

Government or by the High Court, cause an inspection to be made by one or more of its officers of a
banking company which is being wound up and its books and accounts.

(2) On such inspection, the Reserve Bank shall submit its report to the Central Government and the

High Court.

(3) If the Central Government, on consideration of the report of the Reserve Bank, is of opinion that

there has been a substantial irregularity in the winding up proceedings, it may bring such irregularity to
the notice of the High Court for such action as the High Court may think fit.

(4) On receipt of the report of the Reserve Bank under sub-section (2) or on any irregularity being

brought to its notice by the Central Government under sub-section (3), the High Court may, if it deems
fit, after giving notice to and hearing the Central Government in regard to the report, give such
directions as it may consider necessary.

**45R. Power to call for returns and information.—The Reserve Bank may, at any time by a**

notice in writing, require the liquidator of a banking company to furnish it, within such time as may be
specified in the notice or such further time as the Reserve Bank may allow, any statement or
information relating to or connected with the winding up of the banking company; and it shall be the
duty of every liquidator to comply with such requirements.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this section and section 45Q, a banking company working under_

a compromise or arrangement but prohibited from receiving fresh deposits, shall, as far as may be, be
deemed to be a banking company which is being wound up.

**45S. Chief Presidency Magistrate and District Magistrate to assist official liquidator in taking**

**charge of property of banking company being wound up.—(1) For the purpose of enabling the**
official liquidator or the special officer appointed under sub-section (3) of section 37 to take into his
custody or under his control, all property, effects and actionable claims to which a
banking company [3]*** is or appears to be entitled, the official liquidator or the special officer,

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 14 and the Schedule, for “section 235 of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)”

(w.e.f. 14-1-1957).

2. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 32 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
3. The words “, which has been ordered to be wound up” omitted by Act 55 of 1963, s. 23 (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).

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as the case may be, may request in writing the [1][Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or the Chief Judicial
Magistrate], within whose jurisdiction any property, books of account or other documents of such
banking company may be situate or be found, to take possession thereof, and the [1][Chief Metropolitan
Magistrate or the Chief Judicial Magistrate], as the case may be, shall, on such request being made to
him,—

2[(a) take possession of such property, books of accounts or other documents, and (b) forward them

to the official liquidator or the special officer].

3[(2) Where any such property and effects are in the possession of the 1[Chief Metropolitan

Magistrate or the Chief Judicial Magistrate], as the case may be, such Magistrate shall, on request in
writing being made to him by the official liquidator or the special officer referred to in sub-section (1),
sell such property and effects and forward the net proceeds of the sale to the official liquidator or the
special officer:

Provided that such sale shall, as far as practicable, be effected by public auction.

(3) For the purpose of securing compliance with the provisions of sub-section (1), the [1][Chief

Metropolitan Magistrate or the Chief Judicial Magistrate], may take or cause to be taken such steps and
use or cause to be used such force as may, in his opinion, be necessary.

(4) No act of the [1][Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or the Chief Judicial Magistrate] done in

pursuance of this section shall be called in question in any court or before any autority.]

**45T. Enforcement of orders and decisions of High Court.—(1) All orders made in any civil**

proceeding by a High Court may be enforced in the same manner in which decrees of such court made
in any suit pending therein may be enforced.

(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

(5 of 1908), a liquidator may apply for the execution of a decree by a court other than the one which
made it on production of a certificate granted under sub-section (6) of section 45D and on his certifying
to such other court in writing the amount remaining due or relief remaining unenforced under the
decree.

(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), any amount found due

to the banking company by an order or decision of the High Court may, with the leave of the High
Court, be recovered [4][by the liquidator in the same manner as an arrear of land revenue and for the
purpose of such recovery the liquidator may forward to the Collector within whose jurisdiction the
property of the person against whom any order or decision of the High Court has been made is situate, a
certificate under his signature specifying the amount so due and the person by whom it is payable].

5[(4) On receipt of a certificate under sub-section (3), the Collector shall proceed to recover from

such person the amount specified therein as if it were an arrear of land revenue:

Provided that without prejudice to any other powers of the Collector, he shall, for the purposes of

recovering the said amount, have all the powers, which, under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
(5 of 1908), a civil court has for the purpose of the recovery of an amount due under a decree.]

**45U. Power of High Court to make rules.—The High Court may make rules consistent with this**

Act and the rules made under section 52 prescribing—

(a) the manner in which inquiries and proceedings under Part III or Part IIIA may be held;

(b) the offences which may be tried summarily;

(c) the authority to which, and the conditions subject to which, appeals may be preferred and

the manner in which such appeals may be filed and heard;

1. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 36, for “Chief Presidency Magistrate or the District Magistrate” (w.e.f.15-2-1984).
2 Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 23, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
3. Subs. by s. 23, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
4. Subs. s. 24, ibid., for “in the same manner as an arrear of land revenue” (w.e.f. 1-2- 1964).
5. Ins. by s. 24, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).

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(d) any other matter for which provision has to be made for enabling the High Court to

effectively exercise its functions under this Act.

**45V. References to directors, etc., shall be construed as including references to past directors,**

**etc.—For the removal of doubts it is hereby declared that any reference in this Part to a director,**
manager, liquidator, officer or auditor of a banking company shall be construed as including a reference
to any past or present director, manager, liquidator, officer or auditor of the banking company.

**45W. Part II not to apply to banking companies being wound up.—Nothing contained in Part II**

shall apply to a banking company which is being wound up.

**45X. Validation of certain proceedings.—Notwithstanding anything contained in section 45B or**

any other provision of this Part or in section 11 of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1950 (20
of 1950), no proceeding held, judgment delivered or decree or order made before the commencement of
the Banking Companies (Amendment) Act, 1953 (52 of 1953), by any court other than the High Court
in respect of any matter over which the High Court has jurisdiction under this Act shall be invalid or be
deemed ever to have been invalid merely by reason of the fact that such proceeding, judgment, decree
or order was held, delivered or made by a court other than the High Court.]

1[PART IIIB

PROVISIONS RELATING TO CERTAIN OPERATIONS OF BANKING COMPANIES

**45Y. Power of Central Government to make rules for the preservation of records.—The**

Central Government may, after consultation with the Reserve Bank and by notification in the Official
Gazette, make rules specifying the periods for which—

(a) a banking company shall preserve its books, accounts and other documents; and

(b) a banking company shall preserve and keep with itself different instruments paid by it.

**45Z. Return of paid instruments to customers.—(1) Where a banking company is required by its**

customer to return to him a paid instrument before the expiry of the period specified by rules made
under section 45Y, the banking company shall not return the instrument except after making and
keeping in its possession a true copy of all relevant parts of such instrument, such copy being made by a
mechanical or other process which in itself ensures the accuracy of the copy.

(2) The banking company shall be entitled to recover from the customer the cost of making such

copies of the instrument.

_Explanation.—In this section, “customer” includes a Government department and a corporation_

incorporated by or under any law.

**45ZA. Nomination for payment of depositors' money.—(1) Where a deposit is held by a banking**

company to the credit of one or more persons, the depositor or, as the case may be, all the depositors
together, may nominate, in the prescribed manner, one person to whom in the event of the death of the
sole depositor or the death of all the depositors, the amount of deposit may be returned by the banking
company.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force or in any

disposition, whether testamentary or otherwise, in respect of such deposit, where a nomination made in
the prescribed manner purports to confer on any person the right to receive the amount of deposit
from the banking company, the nominee shall, on the death of the sole depositor or, as the case may be,
on the death of all the depositors, become entitled to all the rights of the sole depositor or, as the case
may be, of the depositors, in relation to such deposit to the exclusion of all other persons, unless the
nomination is varied or cancelled in the prescribed manner.

1. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 37 (w.e.f. 29-3-1985).

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(3) Where the nominee is a minor, it shall be lawful for the depositor making the nomination to

appoint in the prescribed manner any person to receive the amount of deposit in the event of his death
during the minority of the nominee.

(4) Payment by a banking company in accordance with the provisions of this section shall constitute

a full discharge to the banking company of its liability in respect of the deposit:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall effect the right or claim which any person

may have against the person to whom any payment is made under this section.

**45ZB. Notice of claims of other persons regarding deposits not receivable.—No notice of the**

claim of any person, other than the person or persons in whose name a deposit is held by a banking
company, shall be receivable by the banking company, nor shall the banking company be bound by any
such notice even though expressly given to it:

Provided that where any decree, order, certificate or other authority from a court of competent

jurisdiction relating to such deposit is produced before a banking company, the banking company shall
take due note of such decree, order, certificate or other authority.

**45ZC. Nomination for return of articles kept in safe custody with banking company.—(1)**

Where any person leaves any article in safe custody with a banking company, such person may
nominate, in the prescribed manner, one person to whom, in the event of the death of the person leaving
the article in safe custody, such article may be returned by the banking company.

(2) Where the nominee is a minor, it shall be lawful for the person making the nomination to

appoint in the prescribed manner any person to receive the article deposited in the event of his death
during the minority of the nominee.

(3) The banking company shall, before returning any articles under this section to the nominee or

the person appointed under Sub-section (2), prepare, in such manner as may be directed by the Reserve
Bank from time to time, an inventory of the said articles which shall be signed by such nominee or
person and shall deliver a copy of the inventory so prepared to such nominee or person.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force or in any

disposition, whether testamentary or otherwise, in respect of such article, where a nomination made in
the prescribed manner purports to confer on any person the right to receive the article from the banking
company, the nominee shall, on the death of the person leaving the article in safe custody, become
entitled to the return of the article to the exclusion of all other persons, unless the nomination is varied
or cancelled in the prescribed manner:

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall affect the right or claim which any person may

have against the person to whom the article is returned in pursuance of this sub-section.

**45ZD. Notice of claims of other persons regarding articles not receivable.—No notice of the**

claim of any person, other than the person or persons in whose name any article is held by a banking
company in safe custody, shall be receivable by the banking company, nor shall the banking company
be bound by any such notice even though expressly given to it:

Provided that where any decree, order, certificate or other authority from a court of competent

jurisdiction relating to such article is produced before a banking company, the banking company shall
take due note of such decree, order, certificate or other authority.

**45ZE. Release contents of safety Release of lockers.—(1) Where an individual is the sole hirer of**

a locker from a banking company, whether such locker is located in the safe deposit vault of such
banking company or elsewhere, such individual may nominate one person to whom, in the event of
the death of such individual, the banking company may give access to the locker and liberty to remove
the contents of the locker.

(2) Where any such locker is hired from a banking company by two or more individuals jointly,

and, under the contract of hire, the locker is to be operated under the joint signatures of two or more of

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such hirers, such hirers may nominate one or more persons to whom, in the event of the death of such
joint hirer or hirers, the banking company may give, jointly with the surviving joint hirer or joint hirers,
as the case may be, access to the locker and liberty to remove the contents of such locker.

(3) Every nomination under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be made in the prescribed

manner.

(4) The banking company shall, before permitting the removal of the contents of any locker by any

nominee or jointly by any nominee and survivors as aforesaid, prepare, in such manner as may be
directed by the Reserve Bank from time to time, an inventory of the contents of the locker which shall
be signed by such nominee or jointly by such nominee and survivors and shall deliver a copy of the
inventory so prepared to such nominee or nominee and survivors.

(5) On the removal of the contents of any locker by any nominee or jointly by any nominee and

survivors as aforesaid, the liability of the banking company in relation to the contents of the locker shall
stand discharged.

(6) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against a banking company for any

damage caused or likely to be caused, for allowing access to any locker, and liberty to remove the
contents of such locker, in pursuance of the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), as the case
may be.

**45ZF. Notice of claims of other persons regarding safety lockers not receivable.—No notice of**

the claim of any person, other than hirer or hirers of a locker, shall be receivable by a banking company
nor shall the banking company be bound by any such notice even though expressly given to it:

Provided that where any decree, order, certificate or other authority from a court of competent

jurisdiction relating to the locker or its contents is produced before the banking company, the banking
company shall take due note of such decree, order, certificate or other authority.]

PART IV

MISCELLANEOUS

**46. Penalties.—(1) Whoever in any return, balance-sheet or other document [1][or in any information**

required or furnished] by or under or for the purposes of any provision of this Act, wilfully makes a
statement which is false in any material particular, knowing it to be false, or wilfully omits to make a
material statement, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years
and [2][or with fine, which may extend to one crore rupees or with both].

(2) If any person fails to produce any book, account or other document or to furnish any statement

or information which under sub-section (2) of section 35 it is his duty to produce or furnish, or to
answer any question relating to the business of a banking company which he is asked by [3][an officer
making an inspection or scrutiny under that section], he shall be punishable with a fine which may
extend to [4][twenty lakh rupees] in respect of each offence, and if he persists in such refusal, to a further
fine which may extend to [5][fifty thousand rupees] for every day during which the offence continues.

(3) If any deposits are received by a banking company in contravention of an order under clause (a)

of sub-section (4) of section 35, every director or other officer of the banking company, unless he
proves that the contravention took place without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to

1. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 9, for “required” (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
2. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 11, for “and shall also be liable to fine” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
3. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 38, for “an officer making an inspection under that section” (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
4. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 11, for “two thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
5. Subs. by s. 11, ibid., for “one hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).

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prevent it, shall be deemed to be guilty of such contravention and shall be punishable with a fine which
may extend to twice the amount of the deposits so received.

1[(4) If any other provision of this Act is contravened or if any default is made in—

(i) complying with any requirement of this Act or of any order, rule or direction made or

condition imposed thereunder, or

(ii) carrying out the terms of, or the obligations under, a scheme sanctioned under

sub-section (7) of section 45,

by any person, such person shall be punishable with fine which may extend to [2][[3][one crore rupees] or
twice the amount involved in such contravention or default where such amount is quantifiable,
whichever is more, and where a contravention or default is a continuing one, with a further fine which
may extend to [4][one lakh rupees]] for every day, during which the contravention or default continues.]

5[(5) Where a contravention or default has been committed by a company, every person who, at the

time the contravention or default was committed, was in charge of, and was responsible to, the
company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be
guilty of the contravention or default and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished
accordingly:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any

punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the contravention or default was committed without
his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the contravention or default.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (5), where a contravention or default has

been committed by a company, and it is proved that the same was committed with the consent or
connivance of, or is attributable to any gross negligence on the part of, any director, manager, secretary
or other officer of the company, such director manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed
to be guilty of that contravention or default and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished
accordingly.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—_

(a) “company” means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of

individuals; and

(b) “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.]

6[46A. Chairman, director, etc., to be public servants for the purposes of Chapter IX of the

**Indian Penal Code.—[7][Every chairman who is appointed on a whole-time basis, managing director,**
director, auditor], liquidator, manager and any other employee of a banking company shall be deemed
to be a public servant for the purposes of Chapter IX of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).]

**47. Cognizance of offences.—No Court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under**

8[sub-section (5) of section 36AA or] section 46 except upon complaint in writing made by an officer
of

1. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 38, for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
2. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 8, for certain words (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
3. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 11, for “fifty thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
4. Subs. by s. 11, ibid., for “two thousand and five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
5. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 25, for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
6. Ins. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 10 (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
7. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 9, for “Every chairman, director, auditor” (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).
8. Ins. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 26 (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).

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1[the Reserve Bank or, as the case may be, the National Bank] generally or specially authorized in
writing in this behalf by [2][the Reserve Bank or, as the case may be, the National Bank], and [2][no court
other than that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or any court
superior thereto] shall try any such offence.

3[47A. Power of Reserve Bank to impose penalty.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in

section 46, if a contravention or default of the nature referred to in [4][sub-section (2) or sub-section (3)
or sub-section (4)] of section 46, as the case may be, is made by a banking company, then, the Reserve
Bank may impose on such banking company—

5[(a) where the contravention or default is of the nature referred to in sub-section (3) of section 46,

a penalty not exceeding twenty lakh rupees in respect of each offence if the contravention or default
persists, a further penalty not exceeding fifty thousand rupees for everyday, after the first day, during
which the contravention or deafult continues;

(b) where the contravention is of the nature referred to in sub-section (3) of section 46, a penalty not

exceeding twice the amount of the deposits in respect of which such contravention was made;

(c) where the contravention or default is of the nature referred to in sub-section (4) of section 46, a

penalty not exceeding one crore rupees or twice the amount involved in such contravention or default
where such amount is quantifiable, whichever is more, and where such contravention or default is a
continuing one, a further penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees for everyday, after the first day,
during which the contravention or default continues.]

6[(2) For the purpose of adjudging the penalty under sub-section (1), the Reserve Bank shall serve

notice on the banking company requiring it to show cause why the amount specified in the notice
should not be imposed and a reasonable opportunity of being heard shall also be given to such banking
company.]

(4) No complaint shall be filed against any banking company in any court of law in respect of any

contravention or default in respect of which any penalty has been imposed by the Reserve Bank under
this section.

(5) Any penalty imposed by the Reserve Bank under this section shall be payable within a period of

fourteen days from the date on which notice issued by the Reserve Bank demanding payment of the
sum is served on the banking company and in the event of failure of the banking company to pay the
sum within such period, may be levied on a direction made by the principal civil court having
jurisdiction in the area where the registered office of the banking company is situated; or, in the case of
a banking company incorporated outside India, where its principal place of business in India is situated:

Provided that no such direction shall be made except on an application made to the court by the

Reserve Bank or any officer authorised by that Bank in this behalf.

(6) The court which makes a direction under sub-section (5) shall issue a certificate specifying the

sum payable by the banking company and every such certificate shall be enforceable in the same
manner as if it were a decree made by the court in a civil suit.

(7) Where any complaint has been filed against any banking company in any court in respect of the

contravention or default of the nature referred to in sub-section (3) or, as the case may be, sub- section
(4) of section 46, then, no proceedings for the imposition of any penalty on the banking company shall
be taken under this section.]

**48. Application of fines.—A Court imposing any fine under this Act may direct that the whole or**

any part thereof shall be applied in or towards payment of the costs of the proceedings, or in or towards
the rewarding of the person on whose information the fine is recovered.

1. Subs. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and Sch. II, for “the Reserve Bank” (w.e.f. 12-7-1984).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984 s. 39, for certain words (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 17 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
4. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 12, for “sub-section (3) or sub-section (4)” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
5. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for sub-clauses (a) and (b) (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
6. Subs. by Act 20 of 1994, s. 10, for sub-sections (2) and (3) (w.e.f. 31-1-1994).

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**49. Special provisions for private banking companies.—The exemptions, whether express or**

implied, in favour of a private company in [1][sections 90, 165, 182, 204 and 255, clauses (a) and (b) of
sub-section (1) of section 293 and sections 300, 388A and 416 of the Companies Act, 1956
(1 of 1956)], shall not operate in favour of a private company which is a banking company.

2[49A. Restriction on acceptance of deposits withdrawable by cheque.—No person other than a

banking company, the Reserve Bank, the State Bank of India or any other [3][banking institution, firm or
other person notified by the Central Government in this behalf on the recommendation of the Reserve
Bank] shall accept from the public deposits of money withdrawable by cheque:

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply to any savings bank scheme run by the

Government.

**49B. Change of name by a banking company.—Notwithstanding anything contained in section**

21 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), the Central Government shall not signify its approval to the
change of name of any banking company unless the Reserve Bank certifies in writing that it has no
objection to such change.

**49C. Alteration of memorandum of a banking company.—Notwithstanding anything contained**

in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), no application for the confirmation of the alteration of the
memorandum of a banking company shall be maintainable unless the Reserve Bank certifies that there
is no objection to such alteration.]

**50. Certain claims for compensation barred.—No person shall have any right, whether in**

contract or otherwise, to any compensation for any loss incurred by reason of the operation of any of
the provisions [4][contained in sections 10, 12A, 16, 35A, 35B, [5][36, 43A and 45] or by reason of the
compliance by a banking company with any order or direction given to it under this Act].

6[51. Application on of certain provisions to the State Bank of India and other notified

**banks.—[7][(1)] Without prejudice to the provisions of the State Bank of India Act, 1955 (23 of 1955), or**
any other enactment, the provisions of sections 10, 13 to 15, 17, [8][19 to 21A, 23 to 28, 29 [excluding
sub-section (3)], [9][29A] [10][sub-sections (1B), (1C) and (2) of section 30, 31], 34, 35, 35A, [11][35AA,
35AB,] 36 [excluding clause (d) of sub-section (1)], 45Y to 45ZF, 46 to 48] 50, 52 and 53 shall also
apply, so far as may be, to and in relation to the State Bank of India [12][or any corresponding new bank
or a Regional Rural Bank or any subsidiary bank] as they apply to and in relation to banking
companies:

13[Provided that—

(a) nothing contained in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 10 shall apply to the chairman

of the State Bank of India or to a [14][managing director] of any subsidiary bank in so far as the said
clause precludes him from being a director of, or holding an office in, any institution approved by
the Reserve Bank;

1. The words, figures and letters “sections 17, 77, 83B, 86H, 91B and 91D and sub-section (5) of section 144 of the Indian

Companies Act, 1913 (7 of 1913)” have successively been amended by Act 95 of 1956, s. 11, Act 33 of 1959, s. 34 and Act
55 of 1963, s. 27 to read as above.

2. Ins. by Act 33 of 1959, s. 35 (w.e.f. 1-10-1959).
3. Subs. by Act 55 of 1963, s. 28, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-2-1964).
4. Subs. by Act 95 of 1956, s. 12, for certain words (w.e.f. 14-1-1957).
5. Subs. by Act 37 of 1960, s. 8, for “and 36” (w.e.f. 19-9-1960).
6. Subs. by Act 79 of 1956, s. 43 and the Second Schedule, for section 51 (w.e.f. 22-10-1956).
7. Section 51 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 1 of 1984, s. 40 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
8. Subs. by s. 40, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
9. Ins. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 13 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
10. Subs. by Act 66 of 1988, s. 10, for “31” (w.e.f. 30-12-1988).
11. Ins. by Act 30 of 2017, s. 3, (w.e.f. 4-5-2017).
12. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 40, for certain words (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
13. Subs. by Act 38 of 1959, s. 64 and the Third Schedule, for the former proviso (w.e.f. 10-9-1959).
14. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 40, for “general manager” (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

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1[(b) nothing contained in sub-clause (iii) of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 20 shall

apply to any bank referred to in sub-section (1), insofar as the said sub-clause (iii) of clause (b)
precludes that bank from entering into any commitment for granting any loan or advance to or on
behalf of a company (not being a Government company) in which not less than forty per cent. of
the paid-up capital is held (whether singly or taken together) by the Central Government or the
Reserve Bank or a corporation owned by that bank; and

(c) nothing contained in section 46 or in section 47A shall apply to,—

(i) an officer of the Central Government or the Reserve Bank, nominated or appointed as

director of the State Bank of India or any corresponding new bank or a Regional Rural Bank or
any subsidiary bank or a company; or

(ii) an officer of the State Bank of India or a corresponding new bank or a Regional Rural

Bank or a subsidiary bank nominated or appointed as director of any of the said banks (not
being the bank of which he is an officer) or of a banking company.]
2*     -     -     -     
3[(2) References to a banking company in any rule or direction relating to any provision of this Act

referred to in sub-section (1) shall, except where such rule or direction provides otherwise, be construed
as referring also to the State Bank of India, a corresponding new bank, a Regional Rural Bank and a
subsidiary bank.]

4[51A. Powers of Reserve Bank not to apply to International Financial Services Centre.—

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the powers exercisable
by the Reserve Bank under this Act,—

(a) shall not extend to an International Financial Services Centre set up under sub-section (1) of

section 18 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 (28 of 2005);

(b) shall be exercisable by the International Financial Services Centres Authority established

under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act,
2019,

in so far as regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions that are
permitted in the International Financial Services Centres are concerned.]

**52. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, after**

consultation with the Reserve Bank, make rules to provide for all matters for which provision is
necessary or expedient for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act and all such rules
shall be published in the Official Gazette.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may

provide for the details to be included in the returns required by this Act and the manner in which such
returns shall be submitted [5][and the form in which the official liquidator may file lists of debtors to the
Court having jurisdiction under Part III or Part IIIA and the particulars which such lists may contain
and any other matter which has to be, or may be, prescribed].

6*  -  -  -  
7[(4) The Central Government may by rules made under this section annul, alter or add to, all or any

of the provisions of the Fourth Schedule.]

8[(5) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be

after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days
which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry
of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid both Houses agree

1. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 40, for clauses (b) and (c) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
2. Explanation omitted by Act 58 of 1968, s. 18 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
3. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 40 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
7. Ins. by Act 50 of 2019, s. 33 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-10-2020).
4. Added by Act 52 of 1953, s. 11 (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
5. Omitted by Act 1 of 1984, s. 41 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
6. Ins. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 11 (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).
7. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 41 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

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in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule
shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so,
however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything
previously done under that rule.]

**53. Power to exempt in certain cases.—[1][(1)] The Central Government may, on the**

recommendation of the Reserve Bank, declare, by notification in the Official Gazette, that any or all of
the provisions of this Act shall not apply to any [2][banking company or institution or to any class of
banking companies [3]***] either generally or for such period as may be specified.

4[(2) 5[A copy of every notification proposed to be issued under sub-section (1) relating to any

banking company or institution or any class of banking companies or any branch of a banking company
or an institution, as the case may be, functioning or located in any Special Economic Zone established
under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 (28 of 2005) shall be laid in draft before each House of
Parliament], while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one
session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately
following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in disapproving the issue
of the notification or both Houses agree in making any modification in the notification, the notification
shall not be issued or, as the case may be, shall be issued only in such modified form as may be agreed
upon by both the Houses.]

**54. Protection of action taken under Act.—(1) No suit or other legal proceeding shall be lie**

against the Central Government, the Reserve Bank or any officer for anything which is in good faith
done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act.

(2) Save as otherwise expressly provided by or under this Act, no suit or other legal proceeding

shall lie against the Central Government, the Reserve Bank or any officer for any damage caused or
likely to be caused by anything in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act.

**55. Amendment of Act 2 of 1934.—The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934), shall be**

amended in the manner specified in the fourth column of the First Schedule, and the amendments to
section 18 thereof as specified in the said Schedule shall be deemed to have had effect on and from the
20th day of September, 1947.

6[55A. Power to remove difficulties.—If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of

this Act, the Central Government may, by order, as occasion requires, do anything (not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act) which appears to it to be necessary for the purpose of removing the
difficulty:

Provided that no such power shall be exercised after the expiry of a period of three years from the

commencement of section 20 of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 1968 (58 of 1968).]

7[PART V

APPLICATION OF THE ACT TO CO-OPERATIVE BANKS

**56. Act to apply to co-operative societies subject to modifications.—[8][Notwithstanding anything**

contained in any other law for the time being in force, the provisions of this Act], shall apply to, or in
relation to, co-operative societies as they apply to, or in relation to, banking companies subject to the
following modifications, namely:—

(a) throughout this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

1. Section 53 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 28 of 2005, s. 57 and the Third Schedule.
2. Subs by s. 57 and Third Schedule, ibid., for “banking company or institution or to any class of banking companies”.
3. The words “or any of their branches functioning or located in any Special Economic Zone established under the Special

Economic Zones Act, 2005 (28 of 2005)” omitted by Act 17 of 2007, s. 3 (w.e.f. 23-1-2007).

4. Ins. by Act 28 of 2005, s. 57 and the Third Schedule.
5. Subs. by Act 17 of 2007, s. 3, for “A copy of every notification proposed to be issued under sub-section (1), shall be laid in

draft before each house of Parliament” (w.e.f. 23-1-2007).

6. Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 20 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).
7. Ins. by Act 23 of 1965, s. 14 (w.e.f. 1-3-1966).
8. Subs. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).

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(i) references to a “banking company” or “the company” or “such company” shall be

construed as references to a co-operative bank,

(ii) references to “commencement of this Act” shall be construed as references to

commencement of the Banking Laws (Application to Co-operative Societies) Act, 1965
(23 of 1965);

1[(iii) references to “memorandum of association” or “articles of association” shall be

construed as references to bye-laws;

(iv) references to the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), except in Part III

and Part IIIA, shall be construed as references to the corresponding provisions, if any, of the
law under which a co-operative bank is registered;

(v) references to “Registrar” or “Registrar of Companies” shall be construed as references

to “Central Registrar” or “Registrar of Co-operative Societies”, as the case may be, under the
law under which a co-operative bank is registered;]

(b) in section 2, the words and figures “the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), and” shall be

omitted;

(c) in section 5,—

2[(i) after clause (cc), the following clauses shall be inserted namely:—

(cci) “co-operative bank” means a state co-operative bank, a central co-operative bank

and a primary co-operative bank;

(ccii) “co-operative credit society” means a co-operative society, the primary object of

which is to provide financial accommodation to its members and includes a co-operative
land mortgage bank;

3[(cciia) “co-operative society” means a society registered or deemed to have been

registered under any Central Act for the time being in force relating to the multi-State
co-operative societies, or any other Central or State law relating to co-operative societies
for the time being in force;]

(cciii) “director”, in relation to a co-operative society, includes a member of any

committee or body for the time being vested with the management of the affairs of that
society;

2[(cciiia) “multi-State co-operative bank” means a multi-State co-operative society

which is a primary co-operative bank;

(cciiib) “multi-State co-operative society” means a multi-State co-operative society

registered as such under any Central Act for the time being in force relating to the multiState co-operative societies but does not include a national co-operative society and a
federal co-operative;]

(cciv) “primary agricultural credit society” means a co-operative society,—

(1) the primary object or principal business of which is to provide financial

accommodation to its members for agricultural purposes or for purposes connected
with agricultural activities (including the marketing of crops); and

(2) the bye-laws of which do not permit admission of any other co-operative

society as a member:

1. Ins. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Subs. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule, for sub-clause (i) (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).
3. Ins. by Act 24 of 2004, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-3-1966).

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Provided that this sub-clause shall not apply to the admission of a co-operative

bank as a member by reason of such co-operative bank subscribing to the share capital
of such co-operative society out of funds provided by the State Government for the
purpose;

(ccv) “primary co-operative bank” means a co-operative society, other than a primary

agricultural credit society,—

(1) the primary object or principal business of which is the transaction of banking

business;

(2) the paid-up share capital and reserves of which are not less than one lakh of

rupees; and

(3) the bye-laws of which do not permit admission of any other co-operative

society as a member:

Provided that this sub-clause shall not apply to the admission of a co-operative

bank as a member by reason of such co-operative bank subscribing to the share capital
of such co-operative society out of funds provided by the State Government for the
purpose;

(ccvi) “primary credit society” means a co-operative society, other than a primary

agricultural credit society,—

(1) the primary object or principal business of which is the transaction of banking

business;

(2) the paid-up share capital and reserves of which are less than one lakh of rupees;

and

(3) the bye-laws of which do not permit admission of any other co-operative

society as a member:

Provided that this sub-clause shall not apply to the admission of a co-operative

bank as a member by reason of such co-operative bank subscribing to the share capital
of such co-operative society out of funds provided by the State Government for the
purpose.

_Explanation.—If any dispute arises as to the primary object or principal business of_

any co-operative society referred to in clauses (cciv), (ccv) and (ccvi), a determination
thereof by the Reserve Bank shall be final;

(ccvii) “central co-operative bank”, [1]*** “primary rural credit society” and “state

co-operative bank” shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the National
Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981 (61 of 1981);]

2[(ii) clauses (ff), (h) and (nb) shall be omitted;]

3*     -     -     -     -     
(e) in section 6, in sub-section (1),—

4*      -      -      -      -      
(ii) in clause (d), after the word “company”, the words “co-operative society,” shall be

inserted;

1. The words “co-operative society,” omitted by Act 24 of 2004, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-3-1966).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42, for sub-clause (ii) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Clause (d) omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
4. Sub-clause (i) omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).

77


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1*      -      -      -      
2[(f) for section 7, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—

“7. Use of words “bank”, “banker” or “banking”.—(1) No co-operative society other than

a co-operative bank shall use as part of its name or in connection with its business any of the
words “bank”, “banker” or “banking”, and no co-operative society shall carry on the business
of banking in India unless it uses as part of its name at least one of such words.

(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to—

(a) a primary credit society, or

(b) a co-operative society formed for the protection of the mutual interest of co
operative banks or [3]***, or

(c) any co-operative society, not being a primary credit society, formed by the

employees of—

(i) a banking company or the State Bank of India or a corresponding new bank or a

subsidiary bank of such banking company, State Bank of India or a corresponding new
bank, or

(ii) a co-operative bank or a primary credit society or a [3]***,

insofar as the word “bank”, “banker” or “banking” appears as part of the name of the employer
bank, or as the case may be, of the bank, whose subsidiary the employer bank is.”];

4*     -     -     -     -     
(h) for section 11, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—

“11. Requirement as to minimum paid-up capital and reserves.—(1) Notwithstanding any

law relating to co-operative societies for the time being in force, no co-operative bank shall
commence or carry on the business of banking in India unless the aggregate value of its paid-up
capital and reserves is not less than one lakh of rupees:

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to—

(a) any such bank which is carrying on such business at the commencement of the

Banking Laws (Application to Co-operative Societies) Act, 1965 (23 of 1965), for a period
of three years from such commencement; or

(b) to a primary credit society which becomes a primary co-operative bank after such

commencement, for a period of two years from the date it so becomes a primary cooperative bank or for such further period not exceeding one year as the Reserve Bank,
having regard to the interests of the depositors of the primary co-operative bank, may think
fit in any particular case to allow.

(2) For the purposes of this section, “value” means the real of exchangeable value and not

the nominal value which may be shown in the books of the co-operative bank concerned.

(3) If any dispute arises in computing the aggregate value of the paid-up capital and

reserves of any such co-operative bank, a determination thereof by the Reserve Bank shall be
final for the purposes of this section.';

5[(i) for section 12, the following section shall be substituted, namely:-
“12. Issue and regulation of paid-up share capital and securities by co-operative banks.--
1. Sub-clause (iii) omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f 1-4-2021).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42, for clause (f) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. The words “or co-operative land mortgage bank” omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
4. Clause (fi), (fii) and (g) omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
5. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for clause (i) (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).

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(1) A co-operative bank may, with the prior approval of the Reserve Bank, issue, by way

of public issue or private placement,-
(i) equity shares or preference shares or special shares, on face value or at premium;

and

(ii) unsecured debentures or bonds or other like securities with initial or original

maturity of not less than ten years,

to any member of such co-operative bank or any other person residing within its area of
operation, subject to such conditions and ceiling, limit or restriction on its issue or
subscription or transfer, as may be specified by the Reserve Bank in this behalf.

(2) Save as otherwise provided in this Act,-

(i) no person shall be entitled to demand payment towards surrender of shares issued

to him by a co-operative bank; and

(ii) a co-operative bank shall not withdraw or reduce its share capital, except to the

extent and subject to such conditions as the Reserve Bank may specify in this behalf.”;’;]

1[(j) for section 18, the following section shall be substituted:—

“18. Cash reserve.—(1) Every co-operative bank, not being [2][a co-operative bank] for the

time being included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
3[(hereinafter referred to as a “scheduled State Co-operative Bank”)], shall maintain in India by
way of cash reserve with itself or by way of balance in a current account with the Reserve Bank
or the State Co-operative Bank of the State concerned or by way of net balance in current
accounts, or, in the case of a primary co-operative bank, with the central co-operative bank of
the district concerned, or in one or more of the aforesaid ways, a sum equivalent to [4][such per
cent.] of the total of its demand and time liabilities in India, as on the last Friday of the second
preceding fortnight [5][as the Reserve Bank may specify, by notification in the official Gazette,
from time to time having regard to the needs for securing the monetary stability in the country]
and shall submit to the Reserve Bank before the fifteenth day of every month a return showing
the amount so held on alternate Friday during a month with particulars of its demand and time
liabilities in India on such Fridays or if any such Friday is a public holiday under the
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881), at the close of business on the preceding
working day.

_Explanation.—In this section and in section 24—_

(a) “liabilities in India” shall not include—

(i) the paid-up capital or the reserves or any credit balance in the profit and loss

account of the co-operative bank;

(ii) any advance taken from a State Government, the Reserve Bank, [6]*** the Exim

Bank, [7][the Reconstruction Bank], [8][the National Housing Bank]], the National Bank
9[, the Small Industries Bank,] or from the National Co-operative Development

1. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42, for clause (j) (w.e.f. 29-3-1985).
2. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 14, for “State Co-operative Bank” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013)
3. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for “(hereinafter referred to as a “scheduled State Co-operative Bank)”. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
4. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for “at least three per cent.” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
5. Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
6. The words “the Development Bank” omitted by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
7. Ins. by Act 62 of 1984, s. 71 and the Third Schedule (w.e.f. 20-3-1985).
8. Ins. by Act 53 of 1987, s. 56 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 9-7-1988).
9. Ins. by Act 39 of 1989, s. 53 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 7-3-1990).

79


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Corporation established under section 3 of the National Co-operative Development
Corporation Act, 1962 (26 of 1962) by the co-operative bank;

(iii) in the case of a State or central co-operative bank, also any deposit of money

with it representing the reserve fund or any part thereof maintained with it by any other
co-operative society within its area of operation, and in the case of a central cooperative bank, also an advance taken by it from the State co-operative bank of the
State concerned;

(iv) in the case of a primary co-operative bank, also any advance taken by it from

the [1][co-operative bank] of the State concerned or the central co-operative bank of the
district concerned;

(v) in the case of any co-operative bank, which has granted an advance against any

balance maintained with it, such balance to the extent of the amount outstanding in
respect of such advance; and

(vi) in the case of any co-operative bank, the amount of any advance or other credit

arrangement drawn and availed of against approved securities;

(b) “fortnight” shall mean the period from Saturday to the second following Friday, both

days inclusive;

(c) “net balance in current accounts” shall, in relation to a co-operative bank, mean the

excess, if any, of the aggregate of the credit balances in current account maintained by that
co-operative bank with the State Bank of India or a subsidiary bank or [2][a corresponding new
bank or IDBI Bank Ltd.], over the aggregate of the credit balances in current accounts held by
the said banks with such co-operative bank;

(d) for the purpose of computation of liabilities, the aggregate of the liabilities of a

co-operative bank to the State Bank of India, a subsidiary bank, a corresponding new bank, a
Regional Rural Bank, a banking company or any other financial institution notified by the
Central Government in this behalf shall be reduced by the aggregate of the liabilities of all such
banks and institutions to the co-operative bank;

(e) any cash with a co-operative bank or any balance held by a co-operative bank with

another bank, shall not, to the extend such cash or such balances represents the balance in, or
investment of, Agricultural Credit Stabilisation Fund of such co-operative bank, be deemed to
be cash maintained in India.

3[(1A) If the balance held by co-operative bank referred to in sub-clause (cci) of clause (c) of

section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, at the close of business on any day is below the
minimum specified under sub-section (1), such co-operative bank shall, without prejudice to the
provisions of any other law for the time being in force, be liable to pay to the Reserve Bank, in
respect of that day, penal interest at a rate of three per cent. above the bank rate on the amount by
which such balance falls short of the specified minimum, and if the shortfall continues further, the
penal interest so charged shall be increased to a rate of five per cent. above the bank rate in respect
of each subsequent day during which the default continues.

(1B) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, if the Reserve Bank is satisfied, on an

application in writing by the defaulting co-operatrive bank, that such defaulting co-operative bank
had sufficient cause for its failure to comply with the provisions of sub-section (1), it may not
demand the payment of the penal interest.

1. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 14, for “State Co-operative Bank” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
2. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for “a corresponding new bank” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
3. Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).

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(1C) The Reserve Bank may, for such period and subject to such conditions as may be

specified, grant to any co-operative bank such exemptions from the provisions of this section as it
thinks fit with reference to all or any of its officers or with reference to the whole or any part of its
assets and liabilities.]

(2) The Reserve Bank may, for the purposes of this section and section 24, specify from time to

time, with reference to any transaction or class of transactions, that such transaction or transactions
shall be regarded as liability in India of a co-operative bank, and, if any question arises as to
whether any transaction or class of transactions shall be regarded for the purposes of this section
and section 24, as liability in India of a co-operative bank, the decision of the Reserve Bank thereon
shall be final.]

(k) for section 19, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—

“19. Restriction on holding shares in other co-operative societies.—No co-operative bank

shall hold shares in any other co-operative society except to such extent and subject to such
conditions as the Reserve Bank may specify in that behalf:

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply to—

(i) Shares acquired through funds provided by the State Government for that purpose;

(ii) in the case of a central co-operative bank, the holding of shares in the State co
operative bank to which it is affiliated;

(iii) in the case of a primary co-operative bank, the holding of shares in the central co
operative bank to which it is affiliated or in the State co-operative bank of the State in
which it is registered:

Provided further that where any shares are held by a co-operative bank in contravention

of this section at the commencement of the Banking Laws (Application to Co-operative
Societies) Act, 1965 (23 of 1965) the co-operative bank shall without delay report the
matter to the Reserve Bank and shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this section, be
entitled to hold the shares for such period and on such conditions as the Reserve Bank may
specify.”;

1*     -     -     -     
2[(m) in section 20A, in sub-section (1),—

(i) the words and figures “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in section

293 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956),” shall be omitted;

(ii) in clause (a), for the words “any of its directors” the words “any of its past or present

directors” shall be substituted;]

1*     -     -     -     
(o) in section 22,—

(i) for sub-sections (1) and (2), the following sub-sections shall be substituted, namely:—

“(1) Save as hereinafter provided, no co-operative society shall carry on banking

business in India unless—

3*         -         -         -         
1. Clause (l), (n) omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Omitted by Act 4 of 2013, s. 14 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).

81


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(b) it is a co-operative bank and holds a licence issued in that behalf by the Reserve

Bank, subject to such conditions, if any, as the Reserve Bank may deem fit to impose:

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to a co-operative society, not being

a primary credit society or a co-operative bank carrying on banking business at the
commencement of the Banking Laws (Application to Co-operative Societies) Act, 1965
(23 of 1965), for a period of one year from such commencement.

1[Provided further that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to a primary credit society

carrying on banking business on or before the commencement of the Banking Laws
(Amendment) Act, 2012, for a period of one year or for such further period not
exceeding three years, as the Reserve Bank may, after recording the reasons in writing for
so doing, extend.]

2[(2) Every co-operative society carrying on business as a co- operative bank at the

commencement of the Banking Laws (Application to Co-operative Societies) Act, 1965,
(23 of 1965) shall before the expiry of three months from such commencement, every cooperative bank which comes into existence as a result of the division of any other cooperative society carrying on business as a co-operative bank, or the amalgamation of two
or more co-operative societies carrying on banking business shall, before the expiry of
three months from its so coming into existence, [3][every primary credit society which had
become a primary co-operative bank on or before the commencement of the Banking Laws
(Amendment) Act, 2012 (4 of 2013), shall before the expiry of three months from the date
on which it had become a primary co-operative bank] and every co-operative society [4]***
shall before commencing banking business in India, apply in writing to the Reserve Bank
for a licence under this section:

Provided that nothing in clause (b) of sub-section (1) shall be deemed to prohibit—

(i) a co-operative society carrying on business as a co-operative bank at the

commencement of the Banking Laws (Application to Co-operative Societies) Act, 1965
(23 of 1965); or

(ii) a co-operative bank which has come into existence as a result of the division of

any other co-operative society carrying on business as a co-operative bank, or the
amalgamation of two or more co-operative societies carrying on banking business at
the commencement of the Banking Laws (Application to Co-operative Societies) Act,
1965 (23 of 1965) or at any time [5][thereafter];

6*          -          -          -          
from carrying on banking business until it is granted a licence in pursuance of this section

or is, by a notice in writing, notified by the Reserve Bank that the licence cannot be granted
to it.]

7[(ii) sub-section (3A) shall be omitted;

(iii) in sub-section (4), in clause (iii), the words, brackets, figure and letter “and

sub-section (3A)” shall be omitted;]

1. Ins. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 14 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
2. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

3. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 14, for “every primary credit society which becomes a primary co-operative bank after such

commencement shall before the expiry of three months from the date on which it so becomes a primary co-operative bank”
(w.e.f. 18-1-2013).

4. The words “other than a primary credit society” omitted by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
5. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for “thereafter; or” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
6. Clause (iii) omitted by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
7. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42, for sub-clause (ii) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

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1[22A. Validation of licences granted by Reserve Bank to multi-State co-operative societies.—

Notwithstanding anything contained in any law or, judgment delivered or decree or order of any
court made,—

(a) No licence, granted to a multi-State co-operative society by the Reserve Bank under

section 22, which was subsisting on the date of commencement of the Banking Regulation
(Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2004 (24 of 2004), shall be invalid or be
deemed ever to have been invalid merely by the reason of such judgment, decree or order;

(b) Every licence, granted to a multi-State co-operative society by the Reserve Bank under

section 22, which was subsisting on the date of commencement of the Banking
Regulation (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2004 (24 of 2004), shall be valid
and be deemed always to have been validly granted in accordance with law;

(c) A multi-State co-operative society whose application for grant of licence for carrying on

banking business was pending with the Reserve Bank on the date of commencement of the
Banking Regulation (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2004 (24 of 2004) shall
be eligible to carry on banking business until it is granted a licence in pursuance of section 22
or is, by a notice in writing notified by the Reserve Bank that the licence cannot be granted to
it;]

**2*** ***** ***** ***** *****

3[(q) in section 24,—

4*      -      -      -      
5*      -      -      -      
(iii) in sub-section (3), for the proviso, the following proviso shall be substituted,

namely:—

“Provided that every co-operative bank, other than a primary co-operative bank, shall

also furnish within the said period, a copy of the said return to the National Bank.”;

5*          -          -          -          -          
6[(qq) after section 24, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—

“24A. Power to exempt.—Without prejudice to the provisions of section 53, the Reserve

Bank may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that, for such period and subject to
such conditions as may be specified in such notification the whole or any specified therein,
shall not apply to any co- operative bank or class of co-operative banks, with reference to all or
any of the offices of such co-operative bank or banks, or with reference to the whole or any part
of the assets and liabilities of such co-operative bank or banks];

7*      -      -      -      
(rii) in section 27, for sub-section (3), the following sub-section shall be substituted,

namely:—

“(3) Every co-operative bank, other than a primary co- operative bank, shall submit a

copy of the return which it submits to the Reserve Bank, under sub-section (1) also to the
National Bank and the powers exercisable by the Reserve Bank under sub-section (2) may

1. Ins. by Act 24 of 2004, s. 2 (w.e.f. 24-9-2004).
2. Clause (p) omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
3. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42, for clause (g) (w.e.f. 29-3-1985).
4. Omitted by Act 4 of 2013, s. 14 (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
5. Subs. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4,for sub-clause (ii) and (iv) (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
6. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
7. Clauses (r), (ria) omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).

83


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also be exercised by the National Bank in relation to co-operative banks, other than primary
co-operative banks.”

(s) for [1][section 29], the following section shall be substituted, namely:—

“29. Accounts and balance-sheet.—(1) At the expiration of each year ending with the

30th day of June [2][or at the expiration of a period of twelve months ending with such date
as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this
behalf,] every co-operative bank, in respect of all business transacted by it, shall prepare
with reference to that year [1][or the period] a balance-sheet and profit and loss account as on
the last working day of the year [1][or the period] in the Forms set out in the Third Schedule
or as near thereto as circumstances admit.

(2) The balance-sheet and profit and loss account shall be signed by the manager or the

principal officer of the bank and where there are more than three directors of the bank, by at
least three of those directors, or where there are not more than three directors, by all the
directors.

(3) The Central Government, after giving not less than three months' notice of its

intention so to do by a notification in the Official Gazette, may from time to time by a like
notification amend the Forms set out in the Third Schedule:]

3[Provided that with a view to facilitating the transition from one period of accounting

to another period of accounting under this sub-section, the Central Government may, by
order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions as it considers necessary or
expedient for the preparation of, or for other matters relating to, the balance-sheet or profit
and loss account in respect of the concerned year or period, as the case may be.]

4*     -     -     -     
5[(t) in section 31,—

6*      -      -      -      
(ii) for the second proviso, the following proviso shall be substituted, namely:—

“Provided further that a co-operative bank, other than a primary co-operative bank shall

furnish such returns also to the National Bank”;]

7*     -     -     -     -     
7*     -     -     -     -     
(w) in section 35,—

(i) in sub-section (1),—

(a) for the words and figures “section 235 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956),” the

words “any law relating to co-operative societies for the time being in force” shall be
substituted;

8[(b) the following proviso shall be inserted at the end, namely:—

1. Subs. by Act 4 of 2013, s. 14, for “sections 29 and 30” (w.e.f. 18-1-2013).
2. Ins. by Act 54 of 1991, s.2 (w.e.f. 20-12-1991).
3. The proviso ins. by Act 54 of 1991, s. 2.
4. Clause (sa) omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
5. Subs. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 12-7-1982).
6. Clause (i) omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
7. Clause (u), (v) omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
8. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42, for item (b) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).

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“Provided that the Reserve Bank may, if it considers it necessary or expedient so to

do, cause an inspection to be made of a primary co-operative bank under this
sub-section by one or more officers of a State co-operative bank in the State in which
such primary co-operative bank is registered.”];

(ii) in sub-section (4), clause (b) shall be omitted;

1[(iii) after sub-section (4), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—

“(4A) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (4), the Reserve Bank may, if it

considers it necessary or expedient so to do supply a copy of the report on any inspection or
scrutiny to the State co-operative bank and the Registrar of co-operative societies of the State in
which the bank which has been inspected or whose affairs have been scrutinised is registered.”]

2[(iv)] in sub-section (6), for the expressions “regional rural banks” and “regional rural

bank”, wherever they occur, the expressions “co-operative banks other than primary cooperative banks” and “co-operative bank other than a primary co-operative bank” shall,
respectively be substituted.]

3[(v)] the Explanation shall be omitted;

4*      -      -      -      -      
4*      -      -      -      -      
4*      -      -      -      -      
4*      -      -      -      -      
5[(zaa) after section 36AA of the principal Act, the following sections shall be inserted,

namely:—

“36AAA.—Supersession of Board of directors of a [6][co-operative bank].—(1) Where the

Reserve Bank is satisfied that in the public interest or for preventing the affairs of a [6][cooperative bank] being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the depositors or of
the [6][co-operative bank] or for securing the proper management of the [6][co-operative bank], it is
necessary so to do, the Reserve Bank may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order,
supersede the Board of directors of such [6][co-operative bank] for a period not exceeding five
years as may be specified in the order, which may be extended from time to time, so, however,
that total period shall not exceed five years.

7[Provided that in the case of a co-operative bank registered with the Registrar of Co
operative Societies of a State, the Reserve Bank shall issue such order in consultation with the
concerned State Government seeking its comments, if any, within such period as the Reserve
Bank may specify.”;]

(2) The Reserve Bank may, on supersession of the Board of directors of the [6][co-operative

bank] under sub-section (1) appoint an Administrator for such period as it may determine.

(3) The Reserve Bank may issue such directions to the Administrator as it may deem

appropriate and the Administrator shall be bound to follow such directions.

1. Ins. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42 (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
2. Sub-clause (iii) renumbered as sub-clause (iv) by s. 42, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
3. Sub-clause (iv) renumbered as sub-clause (v) by s. 42, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
4. Clause (x), (y), (z) and (za) omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
5. Subs. by Act 24 of 2004, s. 2, for clause (zaa) (w.e.f. 24-9-2004).
6. Subs. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4, for “multi-State co-operative bank” (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
7.The proviso ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).

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(4) Upon making the order of supersession of the Board of directors of a [6][co-operative

bank],—

(a) The chairman, managing director and other directors as from the date of

supersession of the Board shall vacate their offices as such;

(b) All the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of the

Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (39 of 2002) or this Act or any other law for
the time being in force, be exercised and discharged by or on behalf of the Board of
directors of such a [1][co-operative bank] or by a resolution passed in general meeting of
such co-operative bank, shall, until the Board of directors of such co-operative bank is
reconstituted, be exercised and discharged by the Administrator appointed by the Reserve
Bank under sub-section (2):

Provided that the power exercised by the Administrator shall be valid notwithstanding

that such power is exercisable by a resolution passed in the general meeting of such multiState co-operative bank.

(5) (a) The Reserve Bank may constitute a committee of three or more persons who have

experience in law, finance, banking, administration or accountancy to assist the Administrator
in discharge of his duties.

(b) The committee shall meet at such times and places and observe such rules of procedure

as may be specified by the Reserve Bank.

(6) The salary and allowances to the Administrator and the members of the committee

constituted by the Reserve Bank shall be such as may be specified by the Reserve Bank and be
payable by the concerned [1][co-operative bank].

(7) On and before expiration of period of supersession of the Board of directors as specified

in the order issued under sub-section (1), the Administrator of the [1][co-operative bank] shall
call the general meeting of the society to elect new directors.

(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law or in any contract, or bye-laws of

a [1][co-operative bank], no person shall be entitled to claim any compensation for the loss or
termination of his office.

(9) The Administrator appointed under sub-section (2) shall vacate office immediately after

the Board of directors of the multi-State co-operative society has been constituted.

2[(10) The provisions of section 36ACA shall not apply to a co-operative bank.]

3*      -      -      -      
36AAC.— Reimbursement to Deposit Insurance Corporation by liquidator or transferee

bank.—Where a multi-State co-operative bank, being an insured bank within the meaning of
the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961 (47 of 1961), is wound up
and the Deposit Insurance Corporation has become liable to the depositors of the insured bank
under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 16 of that Act, the Deposit Insurance
Corporation shall be reimbursed by the liquidator or such other person in the circumstances, to
the extent and in the manner provided in section 21 of that Act.

(zab) In section 36AD, sub-section (3) shall be omitted;’;

4[(zb) Part IIC shall be omitted;]

1. Subs. by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4, for “multi-State co-operative bank” (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
3. Section 36AAB omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for clause (zb) (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).

86


-----

1[(zc) in section 46,—

2*      -      -      -      
(ii) in clause (a) of the Explanation, after the words “includes a”, the words “co-operative

society” shall be inserted;]

3*     -     -     -     -     
(ze) section 49 shall be omitted;

3*     -     -     -     -     
4[(zg) in section 49B, references to “Central Government” shall be construed as references to

“Central Registrar” or “Registrar of Co-operative Societies”, as the case may be, under the law
under which a co-operative bank is registered;’;]

5*     -     -     -     -     
(zi) section 51 shall be omitted;

6[(zj) after section 53, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-
“53A. Powers to exempt co-operative banks in certain cases.—Notwithstanding

anything contained in any other provisions of this Act, the Reserve Bank may, from time to
time, on being satisfied that it is necessary so to do, declare, by notification in the Official
Gazette, that the provisions of item (iii) of clause (b) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2),
of section 10, clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 10A, sub-section (1A) of section 10B
and clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 35B of this Act shall not apply to a co-operative
bank or class of co-operative banks, either generally or for such period as may be specified
therein, subject to such conditions, limitations or restrictions as it may think fit to
impose.”;’;]

7[(zji) in section 54, after the expression “Reserve Bank”, wherever it occurs, the expression “or

the National Bank” shall be inserted.]

(zk) for section 55 and the First Schedule, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—

“55. Act 18 of 1891 and Act 46 of 1949 to apply in relation to co-operative banks.—(1)

The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891(18 of 1891) shall apply in relation to a co-operative
bank as it applies in relation to a bank as defined in section 2 of that Act.

(2) The Banking Companies (Legal Practitioners' Clients' Accounts) Act, 1949 ( shall apply

in relation to a co-operative bank as it applies in relation to a banking company as defined in
section 2 of that Act.”;

1. Subs. by Act 1 of 1984, s. 42, for clause (zc) (w.e.f. 15-2-1984).
2. Clause (i) omitted by Act 39 of 2020, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
3. clauses (zd) and (zf) omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for clause (zg) (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
5. Clause (zh) omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
6. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for clause (zj) (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
7. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).

87


-----

(zl) for the Third Schedule and the Fourth Schedule, the following Schedule shall be

substituted, namely:—

“THE THIRD SCHEDULE

(see section 29)

FORM A

FORM OF BALANCE-SHEET

CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES PROPERTY AND ASSETS


Rs. P. Rs.P


Rs. P. Rs. P.

1. CASH:
In hand with Reserve Bank
1[ National Bank] State Bank of
India, State Co-operative Bank
and Central Co-operative Bank
2. BALANCES WITH OTHER

BANKS
(i) Current deposits
(ii) Savings bank deposits
(iii) Fixed deposits

3. MONEY AT CALL AND

SHORT NOTICE

4. INVESTMENTS
(i) In Central and State

Government securities (at

book value)

Face value Rs. ...............
Market value Rs. ...............
(ii) Other Trustee securities
(iii) Shares in co-operative

institutions other than in item (5)
below....................
(iv) Other investments (to be
specified) ....................

5. INVESTMENT OUT OF

THE PRINCIPAL
/SUBSIDIARY STATE
PARTNERSHIP FUNDS:

In shares of:
(i) Central co-operative banks

(ii) Primary agricultural credit

societies

(iii) Other societies
6. ADVANCES† :
(i) Short-term loans, cash credits,

overdrafts and bills discounted
Of which secured against:

(a) Government and other

approved securities

(b) Other tangible securities[@] of

the advances, amount due
from individuals

Of the advances, amount overdue
Considered bad and doubtful of
recovery
(ii) Medium-term loans


1. CAPITAL:
(i) Authorised Capital
……Shares of Rs…….each
…….Shares of Rs. Each
(ii) Subscribed Capital
................Shares of Rs.........................each
....................Shares of Rs.........................each
.......................................................................
(iii) Amount called up
On.......Shares at Rs.................each
less called unpaid
On.........Shares at Rs.................
each less called unpaid of (iii) above, held by
(a) Individuals ...............
(b) Co-operative institutions ...............
(c) State Government...............
2. RESERVE FUND AND OTHER

RESERVES:

(i) Statutory Reserve
(ii) Agricultural (Credit Stabilization Fund)
(iii) Building Fund
(iv) Dividend Equalization Fund
(v) Special Bad Debts Reserve
(vi) Bad and Doubtful Debts Reserve
(vii) Investment Depreciation Reserve

(viii) Other Funds and Reserves (to be specified)

3. PRINCIPAL/SUBSIDIARY STATE

PARTNERSHIP FUND ACCOUNT:

For share capital of:
(i) Central co-operative banks
(ii) Primary agricultural credit societies...........
(iii) Other societies..............................
4. DEPOSITS AND OTHER ACCOUNTS
(i) Fixed deposits*

(a) Individuals**
(b) Central co-operative banks
(c) Other societies

(ii) Savings Bank Deposits

(a) Individuals**
(b) Central co-operative banks
(c) Other societies.............


1. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).

88


-----

Of which secured against:

PROPERTY AND ASSETS
CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES

Rs.P. Rs. P

(iii) Current deposits (a) Government and other

(a) Individuals** approved securities

(b) Central co-operative banks (b) Other tangible securities[@]

(c) Other societies Of the advances, amount due

(iv) Money at call and short notice from individuals †....................

Of the advances, amount

5. BORROWINGS†:

overdue:......................................

(i) From the Reserve Bank of India

1[the National Bank]/State/Central Considered bad and doubtful of

recovery....................................

co-operative bank:

(iii) long-term loans

(a) Short-term loans, cash credits and

overdrafts Of which secured against:

Of which secured against: (a) government and other approved

securities

(A) Government and other approved

securities (b) other tangible securities[@ ]

(B) Other tangible securities[@] Of the advances, amount due

from individuals.....................

(b) Medium-term loans of which secured

against: Of the advances, amount over

due:

(A) Government and other approved

securities Considered bad and doubtful of

recovery

(B) Other tangible securities[@]

7. INTEREST RECEIVABLE:

(c) Long-term loans

Of which overdue

Of which secured against:

Considered bad and doubtful of

(A) Government and other approved

recovery

securities

8. BILLS RECEIVABLE BEING

(B) Other tangible securities[@]

BILLS FOR COLLECTION

(ii) From the State Bank of India

AS per contra

(a) Short-term loans, cash credits and

9. BRANCH ADJUSTMENTS

overdrafts

10. PREMISES LESS

Of which secured against:

DEPRECIATION

(A) Government and other approved

111. FURNITURE AND FIXTURES

securities

LESS DEPRECIATION

(B) Other tangible securities[@]

12. OTHER ASSETS (to be

(b) Medium-term loans Of which secured

specified)

1. Ins. by Act 61 of 1981, s. 61 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 1-5-1982).

89


Rs. P. Rs.P


-----

against

(A) Government and other approved

securities

(B) Other tangible securities[@]

(c) Long-term loans Of which secured

against:

(A) Government and other approved
securities

(B) Other tangible securities[@]


13. NON-BANKING ASSETS

ACQUIRED IN

SATISFACTION OF CLAIMS
(stating mode of valuation)

14. PROFIT AND LOSS


90


-----

CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES PROPERTY AND ASSETS


Rs. P. Rs.P


(iii) From the State Government
(a) Short-term loans
Of which secured against

(A) Government and other approved

securities

(B) Other tangible securities[@]

(b) Medium-term loans
Of which secured against:

(A) Government and other approved

securities

(B) Other tangible securities[@]

(c) Long-term loans
Of which secured against:

(A) Government and other approved

securities

(B) Other tangible securities[@]

(iv) Loan from other sources (source and
security to be specified)
6.BILLS FOR COLLECTION BEING BILLS

RECEIVABLE As
_per contra_

7. BRANCH ADJUSTMENTS
8. OVERDUE INTEREST RESERVE
9. INTEREST PAYABLE
10. OTHER LIABILITIES

(i) Bills payable
(ii) Unclaimed dividends
(iii) Suspense. . . . . ..
(iv) Sundries . . . . . ..

11. PROFIT AND LOSS

Profit as per last balance-sheet
_Less appropriations_
Add profit for the year brought from the
Profit and Loss Account

Total . . . . . . . .

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

(i) Outstanding liabilities for guarantees

issued

(ii) Others

Total. . . . . ..


Rs. P. Rs.P

NOTES


Total . . . . . . .
.


*“Fixed deposits” will include reserve fund deposits of societies, employees provident fund deposits, staff security

deposits, recurring deposits, cash certificates, etc.

** Under the item “individuals” deposits from institutions other than cooperative banks and societies may be included.

† “Borrowings” and “Advances”.—Short-term loans will be for periods up to 15 months, medium-term loans from 15

months to 5 years and long-term loans over 5 years.

@ “other tangible security” will include borrowings against gold and gold ornaments, repledge of goods, mortgage of

land, etc.

91


-----

_General Instructions.— The corresponding figures (to the nearest rupees, if so desired) for the year immediately_

preceding the year to which the balance-sheet relates should be shown in separate columns.

FORM B

FORM OF PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

_Profit and loss account for the year ended _________

EXPENDITURE INCOME


Rs. P. Rs. P.

1. Interest on deposits, borrowings, etc.  . . .

2. Salaries and allowances and provident

fund.  .   .   .  .   .     .  .     .   .

3. Directors’ and local committee members’

fees and allowances.   .   .  .   .     .
.

4. Rent, taxes, insurance, lighting, etc. .   .

5. law charges.   .   .  .   .     .  .

6. Postage, telegrams and telephone Charges

7. Auditor’s fees .   .   .  .   .     .  .

8. Depreciation on and repairs to property

9. Stationery, printing and advertisement, etc.

10. Loss from sale of or dealing with

non-banking assets. .   .   .  .   .     .

11. Other expenditure .   .   .  .   .     .

12. Balance of profit .   .   .  .   .     .

Total . . . . . . .


1. Interest and discount. .  . .

2. Commission, exchange and

brokerage . . .  . .  .  .  .  .

3. Subsidies and donations.  . .

4. Income from non-banking

assets and profit from sale of
or dealing with such assets. .

5. Other receipts. . .  .  .  .  .

6. Loss (if any). . .  .  . . .  .

Total. . . . . . . .


Rs.P. Rs.P.


_General Instructions.— The corresponding figures (to the nearest rupee, if so desired) for the year_

immediately preceding the year to which the profit and loss account relates should be shown in separate
columns.”.

92


-----

THE FIRST SCHEDULE

(See section 55)

AMENDMENTS

Year No. Short title Amendments

1 2 3 4


1934 2 The Reserve
Bank of

India Act,

1934


(1) In section 17, to clause (15A), the following shall be added, namely :—

“and under the Banking Companies Act, 1949 (4 of 1949)”.

(2) (a) Section 18 shall be renumbered as sub- section (1) of that section and in
sub-section (1), as so renumbered,—

(i) in clause (3) after the words “of that section”, the following words shall be added,

namely:—

“or when the loan or advance, is made to banking company as defined in the Banking

Companies Act, 1949 (4 of 1949), against such other form of security as the Bank may
consider sufficient”;

(ii) for the words “under this section” wherever the occur, the words “under this sub
section” shall be substituted;

(b) after sub-section (1) as so renumbered, the following sub-section shall be inserted,

namely:—

“(2) Where a banking company to which a loan or advance has been made under the

provisions of clause (3) of sub-section (1) is wound up, any sums due to the Bank in
respect of such loan or advance, shall subject only to the claims, if any, of any other
banking company in respect of any prior loan or advance made by such banking
company against any security, be a first charge on the assets of the banking company.”

(3) In section 42, for sub-section (6) the following sub-section shall be substituted,

namely:—

“(6) The bank shall, save as hereinafter provided, by notification in the Gazette of

India,—

(a) direct the inclusion in the Second Schedule of any bank not already so included

which carries on the business of banking in any Province of India and which—

(i) has a paid-up capital and reserves of an aggregate value of not less than five

lakhs of rupees, and

(ii) satisfies the Bank that its affairs are not being conducted in a manner

detrimental to the interests of its depositors; and

(iii) is a company as defined in clause (2) of section 2 of the Indian Companies

Act, 1913 (7 of 1913) or a corporation or a company incorporated by or under any
law in force in any place outside the Provinces of India;

(b) direct the exclusion from that Schedule of any scheduled bank—

(i) the aggregate value of whose paid-up capital and reserves becomes at any time

less than five lakhs of rupees, or

(ii) which is, in the opinion of the Bank after making an inspection under section

35 of the Banking Companies Act, 1949, conducting its affairs to the detriment of
the interests of its depositors, or

(iii) which goes into liquidation or otherwise ceases to carry on banking business:

93


-----

Year No. Short title Amendments

1 2 3 4

Provided that the Bank may, on application of the scheduled bank concerned and

subject to such conditions, if any, as it may impose, defer the making of a direction
under sub-clause (i) or sub-clauses (ii) of clause (b) for such period as the bank
considers reasonable to give the scheduled bank and opportunity of increasing the
aggregate value of its paid-up capital and reserves to not less than five lakhs of
rupees or, as the case may be, of removing the defects in the conduct of its affairs;

(c) alter the description is that Schedule whenever any scheduled bank changes its

name.

_Explanation.—In this sub-section the expression ‘value’ means the real or_

exchangeable value and not the nominal value which may be shown in the books of
the 163 bank concerned; and if any dispute arises in computing the aggregate value of
the paid up capital and reserves of a bank, a determination thereof by the Bank shall
be final for the purposes of this sub-section.

_THE SECOND SCHEDULE.—[Repeals] Rep. by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1957_
(36 of 1957), s. 52 and the First Schedule (w.e.f. 17-9-1957).

THE THIRD SCHEDULE

(See section 29)

1[FORM A

FORM OF BALANCE SHEET

Balance Sheet of ____________________(here enter name of the Banking Company)

Balance Sheet as on 31st March _________________________(Year)

(000's omitted)

Capital and Liabilities Schedule As on 31-3- As on 31-3
(current year) (previous year)


Capital

Reserves and surplus

Deposits

Borrowings

Other liabilities and provisions

TOTAL:


1

2

3

4

5


___________


___________


1. Subs. by S.O. 240 (E), dated 26th March, 1992 (w.e.f. 26-3-1992).

94


-----

Capital and Liabilities Schedule As on 31-3- As on 31-3
(current year) (previous year)

ASSETS


Cash and Balances with Reserve Bank of
India

Balances with Banks and money at call and
short notice

Investments

Advances

Fixed Assets

Other Assets

TOTAL:

Contingent liabilities

Bill for collection


6

7

8

9

10

11

12


SCHEDULE I—CAPITAL

I. FOR NATIOINALISED BANKS

Capital (Fully owned by Central Government)

II. FOR BANKS INCORPORATED OUTSIDE INDIA

Capital

(i) (The amount brought in by banks by way of

Start-up capital as prescribed by RBI should be
shown under this head)

(ii) Amount of deposit kept with the RBI


As on 31-3___  As on 31-3____

(current year) (previous year)


under Section 11(2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

TOTAL:

III. FOR OTHER BANKS

Authorised Capital (Shares of Rs..... each)

Issued Capital (Shares of Rs..... each)

Subscribed Capital (Shares of Rs..... each)

Called-up Capital (Shares of Rs..... each)

Less : Calls unpaid

Add : Forfeited shares

95


-----

SCHEDULE 2—RESERVES AND SURPLUS

As on 31-3__  As on 31-3__

(current year) (previous year)


I. Statutory Reserves

Opening Balance

Additions during the year

Deductions during the year

II. Capital Reserves

Opening Balance

Additions during the year

Deductions during the year

III. Share premium

Opening Balance

Additions during the year

Deductions during the year

IV. Revenue and other Reserves

Opening Balance

Additions during the year

Deductions during the year

V. Balance of Profit and Loss Account

____________ ____________

TOTAL : (I, II, III, IV and V)                           ____________ ____________

SCHEDULE 3—DEPOSITS

As on 31-3__ As on 31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

A. I. Demand Deposits

(i) From Banks

(ii) From others

II. Savings Bank Deposits

III. Term Deposits

(i) From Banks

(ii) From others

____________ ____________

TOTAL : (I, II, III)                                     ____________ ____________

B. (i) Deposits of branches in India

(ii) Deposits of branches outside India                       ________ ____________
TOTAL _________ ___________

96


-----

SCHEDULE 4—BORROWINGS

I. Borrowing in India

(i) Reserve Bank of India

(ii) Other Banks

(iii) Other institutions and agencies

II. Borrowings outside India


As on 31-3__ As on 31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

____________ ____________


TOTAL : (I and II) ___________ ____________

Secured borrowings included in I and II above—Rs.

SCHEDULE 5 —OTHER LIABILITIES AND PROVISIONS

As on 31-3__ As on31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

I. Bills payable

II. Inter-office adjustments

(net)

III. Interests accrued

IV. Others (Including provisions)

____________ ____________

TOTAL : ____________ ____________

SCHEDULE 6—CASH AND BALANCES WITH RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

As on 31-3__ As on 31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

I. Cash in hand (Including foreign currency notes)

II. Balance with Reserve Bank of India

(i) in Current Account

(ii) in other Accounts

____________ ____________

TOAL : (I and II) ____________ ____________

SCHEDULE 7—BALANCES WITH BANKS AND MONEY AT CALL AND SHORT NOTICE

As on 31-3__ As on 31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

I. In India

(i) Balances with banks

(a) In Current Accounts

97


-----

(b) In Other Deposit Accounts

(ii) Money at call and short notice

(a) With banks

(b) With other institutions

____________ ____________

TOTAL : (I and II) ____________ ____________

II. Outside India

(i) in Current Accounts

(ii) in Other Deposit Accounts

(iii) Money at call and short notice

____________ ____________

TOTAL : (I, II and III)                           ____________ ____________

____________ ____________

GRAND TOTAL : (I and II)                             ____________ ____________

SCHEDULE 8—INVESTMENTS

As on 31-3__ As on 31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

I. Investments in India in

(i) Government Securities

(ii) Other approved securities

(iii) Shares

(iv) Debentures and Bonds

(v) Subsidiaries and/or joint ventures

(vi) Others (to be specified)

____________ ____________

TOTAL :                                      ____________ ____________

II. Investments outside India in

(i) Government securities (Including local authorities)

(ii) Subsidiaries and/or joint ventures abroad

(iii) Other investments (to be specified)

____________

Total :                                                               ____________

GRAND TOTAL : (I and II) ____________

____________

98


-----

SCHEDULE 9—ADVANCES

As on 31-3__ As on 31-3__

current year) (previous year)

A. (i) Bills purchased and discounted

(ii) Cash credits, overdrafts and loans repayable on demand

(iii) Term loans

____________ ____________

TOTAL : ____________ ____________

B. (i) Secured by tangible assets

(ii) Covered by Bank/Government Guarantees

(iii) Unsecured

TOTAL : ____________ ____________

____________ ____________

C. I. Advances in India

(i) Priority sectors

(ii) Public sector

(iii) Banks

(iv) Others

____________ ____________

TOTAL : ____________ ____________

II. Advances Outside India

(i) Due from banks

(ii) Due from others

(a) Bills purchased and discounted

(b) Syndicated loans

(c) Others

____________ ____________

TOTAL :                                        ________  ___________

____________ ____________

GRAND TOTAL : (C.I. & C.II) ____________ ____________

SCHEDULE 10—FIXED ASSETS

As on 31-3__ As on 31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

I. Premises

At cost as on 31st March of the preceding year

99


-----

Additions during the year Deductions during the year

Depreciation to date

II. Other Fixed Assets (including furniture and fixtures)

At cost as on 31st March of the preceding year

Additions during the year

Deductions during the year

Depreciation to date

TOTAL : (I and II) ____________ ____________

____________ ____________

SCHEDULE 11—OTHER ASSETS

As on 31-3__ As on 31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

I. Inter-office adjustment (net)

II. Interest accrued

III. Tax paid in advance/tax deducted at source

IV. Stationery and stamps

V. Non-banking assets acquired in satisfaction of claims

VI. Others*

____________ ____________

TOTAL : ____________ ____________

*In case there is any unadjusted balance of loss the same may be shown under this item with

appropriate foot-note.

SCHEDULE 12—CONTINGENT AVAIBILITIES

As on 31-3__ As on 31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

I. Claims against the bank not acknowledged as debts

II. Liability for partly paid investments

III. Liability on account of outstanding forward exchange contracts

IV. Guarantees given on behalf of constituents

(a) In India

(b) Outside India

V. Acceptances, endorsements and other obligations

VI. Other items for which the bank is contingently Liable

____________ ____________

TOTAL : ____________ ____________

100


-----

FORM B

(000’s omitted)

FORM OR PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUT FOR THE YEAR ENDED ON 31ST MARCH (YEAR)


Year ended 31-3_

(current year)


Year ended 31-3_

(previous year)


I. INCOME

Interest earned

Other Income

II. EXPENDITURE


TOTAL :


Interest expended

Operating expenses

Provisions and contingencies

TOTAL :

III. PROFIT/LOSS

Net Profit/Loss (-) for the year

Profit/Loss (-) brought forward

TOTAL :

IV. APPROPRIATIONS

Transfer to statutory reserves

Transfer to other reserves

Transfer to Government/proposed dividend

Balance carried over to balance sheet

TOTAL :


Schedule No.

13

14

15

16


SCHEDULE 13—INTEREST EARNED

Year ended on Year ended on

31-3__         31-3__

(current year) (previous year)

I. Interest/discount on advance/bills

II. Income on investments

101


-----

III. Interest on balances with Reserve Bank of India and other inter-bank funds

IV. Others

______________ ______________

TOTAL : ______________ ______________

SCHEDULE 14—OTHER INCOME

Year ended on Year ended on

31-3__     31-3___

(current year) (previous year)

I. Commission, exchange and brokerage

II. Profit on sale of investments

Less : Loss on sale of investments

III. Profit on revaluation of investments

Less : Loss on revaluation of investments

IV. Profit on sale of land, buildings and other assets

Less : Loss on sale of land, buildings and other assets

V. Profit on exchange transactions

Less : Loss on exchange transactions

VI. Income earned by way of dividends etc.

from subsidiaries/companies and/or

joint ventures abroad/in India

VII. Miscellaneous Income

______________ ______________

TOTAL :                                         ______________ ______________

NOTE : Under items II to V loss figures may be shown in brackets.

SCHEDULE 15—INTEREST EXPENDED

Year ended on   Year ended on

31-3__ 31-3__

(current year)    (previous year)

I. Interest on deposits

II. Interest on Reserve Bank of India/ Inter-back borrowings

III. Others

TOTAL : ______________ ______________

______________ ______________

102


-----

SCHEDULE 16—OPERATING EXPENSES

Year ended on  Year ended on

31-3.........     31-3.................

(current year)  (previous year)

I. Payments to and provisions for employees

II. Rent, taxes and lighting

III. Printing and stationery

IV. Advertisement and publicity

V. Depreciation on Bank's property

VI. Director's fees, allowances and expenses

VII. Auditors' fees and expenses (Including branch auditors)

VIII. Law charges

IX. Postages. Telegrams, Telephones, etc.

X. Repairs and maintenance

XI. Insurance

XII. Other expenditure

____________ ____________

TOTAL : ______________ __________

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1[THE FOURTH SCHEDULE

[See section 45D(2)]

LIST OF DEBTORS

1. The official liquidator shall from time to time submit list of debtors to the High Court, each list

being verified by an affidavit.

2. Every such list shall contain the following particulars:—

(a) names and addresses of the debtors;

(b) amount of debt due to the banking company by each debtor;

(c) rate of interest, if any, and the date up to which such interest has been calculated in the case

of each debtor;

(d) description of papers, writings, and documents, if any, relating to each debt;

(e) relief or reliefs claimed against each debtor.

3. (a) In every such list, the official liquidator shall distinguish between the debts for which the

banking company holds and security other than a personal security and the debts for which no security
or only a personal security is given;

(b) In the case of secured debts, particulars of the securities claimed by the banking company, and

whenever possible their estimated value, and the names and addresses of person or persons, if any,
having an interest in the securities or the right of redemption therein;

(c) In case the debt is guaranteed by any person or persons, the name and address of the guarantor

or guarantors with particulars as to the extent to which the debt is guaranteed and description of
documents, papers or writings in support of such guarantee.

4. If the debtor is adjudged insolvent either before or after he has been included in any such list, but

before such list is settled, the name and address of the assignee or the receiver of his estate, as the case
may be, should be stated in, or added to, the list.

5. If the original debtor dies either before or after he has been included in any such list, but before

such list is settled, there shall be substituted in his place the names and addresses of his legal
representatives as far as the official liquidator is able to ascertain.]

1 Ins. by Act 52 of 1953, s. 12 (w.e.f. 30-12-1953).

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1[THE FIFTH SCHEDULE

(See section 36AG)

PRINCIPLES OF COMPENSATION

1. The compensation to be given under section 36AG shall be an amount equal to the value of the

assets of the acquired bank as on the day immediately before the appointed day, computed in
accordance with the provisions of Part I of this Schedule less the total amount of liabilities thereof
computed in accordance with the provisions of Part II of this Schedule.

_Part I.—Assets_

For the purposes of this Part “assets” means the total of the following:—

(a) the amount of cash in hand and with the Reserve Bank and the State Bank of India

(including foreign currency notes which shall be converted at the market rate of exchange);

(b) the amount of balances with any bank, whether on deposit or current account, and money at

call and short notice, balance held outside India being converted at the market rate of exchange:

Provided that any balance which are not realisable in full shall be deemed to be debts and valued

accordingly:—

(c) the market value, as on the day immediately before the appointed day, of any securities,

shares debentures, bonds and other investments, held by the bank concerned.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause,—_

(i) securities of the Central and State Governments [other than the securities specified in sub
clauses (ii) and (iii) of this _Explanation] maturing for redemption, within five years from the_
appointed day shall be valued at the face value or the market value, whichever is higher;

(ii) securities of the Central Government, such as Post Office Certificates and Treasury Savings

Deposit Certificates and any other securities or certificates issued or to be issued under the Small
Savings Scheme of the Central Government, shall be valued at their face value or the encashable
value of the market value, as on the day immediately before the appointed day, whichever is higher;

(iii) where the market value of any Government security such as the zamindari abolition bonds

or other similar security in respect of which the principal is payable in instalment, is not
ascertainable or is, for any reason, not considered as reflecting the fair value thereof or as otherwise
appropriate, the security shall be valued at such an amount as is considered reasonable having
regard to the instalments of principal and interest remaining to be paid, the period during which
such instalments are payable, the yield of any security, issued by the Government to which the
security pertains and having the same or approximately the same maturity, and other relevant
factors;

(iv) where the market value of any security, share, debenture, bond or other investment is not

considered reasonable by reason of its having been affected by abnormal factors, the investment
may be valued on the basis of its average market value over any reasonable period;

(v) where the market value of any security, share, debenture, bond or other investment is not

ascertainable, only such value, if any, shall be taken into account as is considered reasonable having
regard to the financial position of the issuing concern, the dividend paid by it during the preceding
five years and other relevant factors;

(d) the amount of advances (including loans, cash, credits, overdrafts, bills purchased and

discounted), and other debts, whether secured or unsecured, to the extent to which they are
reasonably considered recoverable, having regard to the value of the security, if any, the operations

1 Ins. by Act 58 of 1968, s. 22 (w.e.f. 1-2-1969).

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on the account, the reported worth and respectability of the borrower, the prospects of realisation
and other relevant considerations;

(e) the value of any land or buildings;

(f) the total amount of premia paid, in respect of all leasehold properties, reduced in the case of

each such premium by an amount which bears to such premium the same proportion as the expired
term of the lease in respect of which such premium shall have been paid bears to the total term of
the lease;

(g) the written down value as per books, or the realisable value, as may be considered

reasonable, of all furniture, fixture and fittings;

(h) the market or realisable value, as may be a appropriate, of the other assets appearing on the

books of the bank, no value being allowed for capitalised expenses, such as share selling
commission, organisational expenses and brokerage, losses incurred and similar other items.

_Part II.—Liabilities_

For the purpose of the Part “liabilities” means the total amount of all outside liabilities existing on

the appointed day, and all contingent liabilities which the Central Government or the transferee bank
may reasonably be expected to be required to be out of its own resources on or after the appointed day
and where the acquired bank is a banking company incorporated outside India, includes the liabilities of
the offices and branches in India of the acquired bank to its offices and branches outside India.

2. If the acquired bank is not incorporated in India, the assets or, as the case may be, the liabilities

of the bank shall be, for the purposes of Part 1 and Part 11, and subject to the other provisions therein,
the assets and liabilities of the offices of the bank situated in India.

COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS

3. Every shareholder of the acquired bank to whom the compensation is payable, shall be given

such amount as compensation, as bears to the total compensation, calculated in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph 1, the same proportion as the amount of paid-up capital of the shares held by
the shareholder bears to the total-up capital of the acquired bank.

CERTAIN DIVIDENDS NOT TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT

4. No separate compensation shall be payable for any profits or any dividends in respect of any

period immediately preceding the appointed day, for which, in the ordinary course, profits would have
been transferred or dividend declared after the appointed day.]

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