Section 11 of The Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.
Power of Reserve Bank to give directions.
- (1)Where the Reserve Bank is satisfied that,--
- (a)in the public interest; or
- (b)in the interest of credit institutions; or
- (c)in the interest of specified users; or
- (d)in the interest of banking policy; or
- (e)to prevent the affairs of any credit information company being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of its specified users or in a manner prejudicial to the interests of credit institutions or borrowers or clients; or
- (f)to secure the proper management of credit information companies generally, it is necessary to issue directions to credit information companies or credit institutions or specified users generally or to any credit information company or credit institution or specified user in particular, it may, from time to time, issue such directions as it deems fit, and such credit information companies, credit institutions and specified users or credit information company, credit institution, and specified user, as the case may be, shall be bound to comply with such directions.
- (2)The Reserve Bank may, on representation made to it or on its own motion, modify or cancel any direction issued under sub-section (1), and the Reserve Bank, in so modifying or cancelling any direction, may impose such conditions as it thinks fit, subject to which the modification or cancellation shall have effect.
- (3)The Reserve Bank may, at any time, if it is satisfied that in the public interest or in the interest of a credit information company or its members, it is necessary so to do, by order in writing and on such terms and conditions as may be specified therein,--
- (a)require such credit information company to call a meeting of its directors for the purpose of considering any matter relating to or arising out of the affairs of the credit information company;
- (b)depute one or more of its officers to watch the proceedings at any meeting of the board of the credit information company or of any committee or of any other body constituted by it and require the credit information company to give an opportunity to the officers so deputed to be heard at such meetings and also require such officers to send a report of such proceedings to the Reserve Bank;
- (c)require the board of the credit information company or of any committee or any other body constituted by it to give in writing to any officer deputed by the Reserve Bank in this behalf at his usual address all notices of, and other communications relating to, any meeting of the board, committee or other body constituted by it;
- (d)appoint one or more of its officers to observe the manner in which the affairs of the credit information company or of its offices or branches are being conducted and make a report thereon;
- (e)require the credit information company to make, within such time as may be specified in the order, such changes in the management as the Reserve Bank may consider necessary.
- (4)The Reserve Bank may, at any time, direct any credit information company to furnish it within such time as may be specified by the Reserve Bank, such statements and information relating to the business or affairs of the credit information company as the Reserve Bank may consider necessary or expedient to obtain for the purpose of this Act.
Summary
- The Reserve Bank can issue binding directions to credit companies, institutions, or users to protect public interest, banking policy, or to secure proper management.
- The Reserve Bank can modify or cancel these directions either on its own or if a company makes a representation asking for a change.
- The Reserve Bank can force a company to call a board meeting to discuss specific issues.
- The Reserve Bank can send its own officers to watch any board or committee meeting. The company must give these officers a chance to speak and must send them all meeting notices.
- The Reserve Bank can appoint officers to observe how a company or its branches are being run and have them write a report.
- The Reserve Bank can order a company to furnish statements and information about its business within a strict time limit.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can the Reserve Bank tell a credit information company exactly what to do?
Yes, if it is necessary for public interest or to prevent detrimental conduct, the Reserve Bank can issue directions that the company is legally bound to comply with.
2. Can a company ask the Reserve Bank to change a direction it issued?
Yes, the Reserve Bank can modify or cancel any direction on a representation made to it, or on its own motion.
3. Does a company have to invite the Reserve Bank to its private board meetings?
Only if the Reserve Bank deputes an officer to watch the proceedings. If they do, the company must provide all notices of meetings to that officer and allow them to be heard.
4. Can the Reserve Bank demand paperwork from a company?
Yes, they can direct any credit information company to furnish statements and information relating to their business within a specified time limit.
Test yourself
1.Under Section 11 of The Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005., what power does the Reserve Bank have regarding a company's board meetings?
2.Under Section 11 of The Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005., what happens if the Reserve Bank issues a direction to a credit institution?
3.Under Section 11 of The Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005., how can an existing direction from the Reserve Bank be changed or cancelled?
4.Under Section 11 of The Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005., what can the Reserve Bank require a credit information company to provide regarding its affairs?