Improving banking system & encouraging private sector investment key: FM Arun Jaitley

The government will take steps to find adequate resources to support debt-laden banks in order to help them participate in India's economic growth, said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at a meeting of bankers on Friday.

Hinting again at further recapitalisation without disclosing the route, Jaitley said capacity of the banking system needs to be improved and a push must be given to private sector investment, adding that the sector would receive full support from the Centre for the same.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 70th Annual General meeting (AGM) of Indian Bank Association (IBA), he stated that although the banking sector has seen a substantial revamp, the problem of stressed assets still persists and remains the core area of "concern" for the economy. Bad loans have crimped the ability of Indian lenders to offer new credit.

"India has shown its ability to grow and reform, even when the world economy is slowing down. The Indian public is more supportive of reforms, and the ability to face challenges is now better.

"Two things need to be given priority- improving banking system's capacity and encouraging private sector investment. With analysis being done regarding the root of the issues, quick solutions are needed as the ability has to be strengthened. Centre will back the banking sector for this," Jaitley said.

The minister lauded the strides made in the banking sector owing to the process of financial inclusion, and being the 'lifeline of the economy'.

"Every household must have a bank account, and this was achieved after surpassing a large number of obstacles, including geographical hurdles, and left-wing extremism. This created the ability to target support to those where support must go," said Jaitley.

He highlighted that efforts like the demonetisation drive were rolled out to consciously create a difference in the spending habit pattern of people, and give a much-needed push to digitisation.

"Demonetisation was the largest currency exchange programme, which replaced 86 percent of total currency. The research shows that it was successful, conceptually and theoretically. It led to an expansion in digitisation, tax base and assesses, and has made cash dealings unsafe," Jaitley said.

With regards to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Jaitley claimed that the implementation was 'smoother than expected', though early days but that a robust mechanism has been institutionalised.

"The GST is working smoother than expected, with the Centre-State collaborated decision-making being institutionalised. Any concerns about the taxation system can be addressed via a robust mechanism. The coming months will see an expansion in the number of taxpayers brought under the network," Jaitley added.

The country's economic growth slowed to a three-year low of 5.7 percent in the quarter that ended in June, and Jaitley said on Wednesday that the government was looking for ways to speed it up.

(With inputs from agencies)