Govt yet to resolve applicability of new FDI norms for banks

Finance and industry ministries are holding consultations on whether to bring the banking sector under the purview of new FDI rules, which will categorise some Indian banks like ICICI Bank as foreign banks.

“One limited area is under discussion - that is banking sector. We are holding discussion with RBI and the finance ministry,” Industrial Policy and Promotion Secretary Ajay Shankar said at the Economic Editors Conference here today.

According to the norms issued in February this year through press notes 2, 3 and 4, both ownership and control of banks should be in Indian hands for them to qualify as domestic entities, Ajay Shankar said. “Now, (in) some of our very large banks, control is in Indian hands, but ownership of more than 51 per cent is not in Indian hands,” he said.

RBI has been opposing these norms since they will change the character of many Indian banks to foreign banks. Precisely, seven banks — ICICI Bank, HDFC, Yes Bank, Indus Ind Bank, Federal Bank, ING Vyasya, and Development Credit Bank — will see their category changed.