Letters: Transparent banking

This refers to the report "UBI chairperson resigns citing health reasons" (February 22). Archana Bhargava, the chairperson of the United Bank of India, leaves at a time when the bank has posted bad and doubtful loans amounting to Rs 8,545.50 crore. This figure of non-performing assets (NPAs) was achieved after restructuring and rescheduling of bad loans. All banks do this balance sheet window-dressing to show less bad loans on their books. Now that the financial year is ending, the Reserve Bank of India should ask all banks to report gross NPAs, the provisions made for doubtful loans and the loans written off during the year. Banks should also mention the interest and expenses written off during the year, and the amount of restructured loans in their financial results to maintain transparency.

Sudhir K Bhave, Mumbai

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