Sharp shots

Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor K C Chakrabarty is known for his plain speaking and humour but bankers do not always appreciate his remarks. At a function in Mumbai organised by a small and medium enterprises (SMEs) chamber to felicitate bankers for their support to the sector, Chakrabarty said data showed that over 90 per cent of SME entrepreneurs are either self-financed or not financed. “For what are we giving these awards then?” he asked bluntly, going on to suggest ways banks could increase credit flows to the sector. Approached for his reaction to the deputy governor's remarks, a senior banker said with some heavy irony, “Once in a while you need entertainment.”