Fin Min urges banks to keep EMIs at affordable levels

August 18, 2012 16:09

In a bid to revive investment across the board, Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday asked banks to cut interest rates and keep EMIs at affordable levels to encourage sale of consumer durables that will restart the engine of manufacturing.

After a review meeting with the chiefs of public sector banks against the backdrop of slowdown in the economy, he also announced rescheduling of farm loans in drought affected states and revision in procedures for easy sanction of education loans to students.

Maintaining that health of the banking sector is extremely good, Chidambaram directed the banks to double the number of ATMs from 63,000 in two years and also to make them cash accepting machines so that the money remains in the banking system.

"Most of our problems will be over if we revive investment. Investment must be revived across the board small, medium and large industries. Sentiment is only one factor. Sentiment will change if the other issues are addressed."

He said the bank chairmen have been candid and they have identified a number of issues such as fuel supply agreement, delay in clearances and approvals, land acquisition and government entities like NHAI and SEBs not making payment in time. A certain amount of choking in supply of credit.

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