New Delhi: In a major relief to thousands of individuals and MSME borrowers, the Centre in an affidavit informed the Supreme Court that it has taken a decision to waive “interest on interest” on loans up to Rs two crore during the six-month moratorium period.
The affidavit said the only solution is that the government should bear the burden resulting from waiver of compound interest.
“After careful consideration and weighing all possible options, the respondent Union of India has decided to continue the tradition of handholding the small borrowers”, said the Centre. The categories of loans up to Rs two crore include: MSME loans, education loans, housing loans, consumer durable loans, credit card dues, auto loans, personal loans to professional and consumption loans.
The Centre said it is impossible for the banks to bear the burden resulting from waiver of compound interest without passing on the financial impact to the depositors or affecting their net worth adversely, which would not be in larger public interest.
The affidavit said: “The government, therefore, has decided that the relief on waiver of compound interest during the six-month moratorium period shall be limited to the most vulnerable category of borrowers.”
After the recommendations of an expert committee, the Centre has altered its stand. Previously, the RBI and Centre had argued against waiver of interest on interest, as it would be against the interests of other stakeholders, especially depositors, and also unfair to those who have paid their dues.
