(a) whether cases of irregularities in distributing agriculture related loans by
bank officials have come to the notice of the Government during the last one year;
(b) if so, the bank-wise details thereof;
(c) the action taken against the officials responsible;
(d) whether unrecovered agricultural loans has been put under bad debts;
(e) if so, the bank-wise amount put under this head during the above period; and
(f) the parameters for putting amount under bad debts?
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT SINHA):
(a) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have stated
that no cases of irregularities in distributing agriculture related loans by bank officials
have come to their notice during the period asked for.
(b) and (c) Does not arise in view of above.
(d) and (e) The bank-wise details of the Non-performing assets in agricultural loans
of public sector banks as on 31st March, 2000 are given in the enclosed Statement.
(f) As per the extant guidelines of RBI, advances granted for agricultural purposes may
be treated as Non-performing Assets (NPAs), if interest/or instalment of principal remains
unpaid, after it has become `past due, for two harvest seasons or for a period not
exceeding two half years.