BackNational Housing Bank asks HFCs to share information on defaults
Share information on wilful defaults of Rs25 lakh and above, NHB tells housing finance companies
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New Delhi: Housing finance companies (HFCs) regulator National Housing Bank (NHB) has asked mortgage firms to share information on default of ₹ 25 lakh and above by wilful defaulters so that further credit to such borrowers is choked.
“This is pursuant to the advice of RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and recommendation of the Puri committee report, which states that HFCs may also report data on wilful defaulters to all credit information companies (CICs) because the exclusion of such entities from the guidelines of wilful defaulters may lead to arbitrage by the borrowers," NHB said.
Accordingly, NHB framed guidelines to put in place a mechanism of sharing information on wilful defaults of ₹ 25 lakh and above, so as to ensure further funds are not made available to them.
As per the norms, HFCs can take penal action against wilful defaulters. “Wherever possible, HFCs should adopt a proactive approach for a change of management of the wilfully defaulting borrower unit," it said.
Under the set-up, no additional facilities will be granted by any HFC to the listed wilful defaulters. “Such companies (including entrepreneurs or promoters) where HFCs have identified siphoning off funds, misrepresentation, falsification of accounts and fraudulent transactions should be debarred from finance... for floating new ventures for five years from the date of removal of their names from the list as published or disseminated by the RBI," it said.
According to the guidelines, HFCs can initiate a legal proceeding, wherever warranted, against borrowers or guarantors, and foreclosure for recovery of dues should be initiated expeditiously. “The lenders may initiate criminal proceedings against wilful defaulters, wherever necessary," it said.
NHB has come out with the guidelines in the wake of the recommendations of the Puri committee and worries emanating out of the exclusion of HFCs from the preview of rules meant for wilful defaulters. PTI
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