The RBI had announced proposals for the Retail Direct Scheme for investors in government securities and the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme. How will the new scheme allow small investors to buy or sell securities?
What is the Retail Direct Scheme?
Under the Retail Direct Scheme, small investors can now buy or sell government securities(G-Secs), or bonds, directly without having to go through an intermediary like a mutual fund. It is similar to placing funds in debt instruments such as fixed deposits in Banks.
However, the same tax rules apply to income from G-Secs. With the government being the borrower, there is a sovereign guarantee for the funds and hence zero risk of defaults. Also, government securities may offer better interest rates than bank fixed deposits, depending on prevailing interest rate trends.
How Individuals can access the G-Sec Offering?
Investors wishing to open a Retail Direct Gilt account directly with the RBI can do so through an online portal set up for the purpose of the scheme. Once the account is activated with the aid of a password sent to the user's mobile phone, investors will be permitted to buy securities either in the primary market or in the secondary market. The minimum amount for the bid is 10,000 and in multiples of 10,000 INR.
What was the necessity?
As per the RBI, the scheme will help "broaden the investor base and provide retail investors with enhanced access to the government securities market - both primary and secondary". It claimed that the scheme was a major structural reform placing India among selected few countries which have similar facilities.
This would further facilitate the smooth completion of the Government borrowing program in 2021-22. The government intends to borrow up to 12 lakh crore this year ending March 2022. The significant spike in borrowing that is expected to spur infrastructure and social funding - follows a steep decline in the economy last fiscal.
Why is RBI setting up an Integrated Ombudsman?
Prior to this scheme, the RBI had 3 different ombudsman schemes to aid dispute resolution with respect to banks, NBFCs, and non-bank pre-paid payment issues. They were operated by the RBI through 22 ombudsman offices. With the introduction of the integrated scheme, the earlier ones stand repealed.
It is an attempt to make dispute resolution simpler, efficient, and responsive by enabling customers to register their complaints under the integrated scheme with one centralised reference point.
Grievance Pending Adjudication
Though the earlier three schemes have been repealed, the RBI clarified that the adjudication of the pending complaints, appeals, and execution of the awards passed shall continue to be governed by the provisions of the respective ombudsman schemes and instructions of the Reserve Bank issued thereunder.
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