‘Privatisation not must for competitiveness’
21 May 2014 11:05 PM GMT
‘If public sector banks become competitive, and especially if they do so by distancing themselves from the influence of the government without sacrificing their ‘public’ character, they will be able to raise money much more easily from the markets.
‘Indeed, the better performers will be able to raise more, unlike the current situation where the not so good performers have a greater call on the public purse. Competition will improve efficiency,’ he said.
The remarks came in his annual day lecture of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Rajan said there are well-managed public sector banks across the world and even in India today.
‘So, privatisation is not necessary to improve the competitiveness of the public sector. But a change in governance, management, and operational and compensation flexibility are almost surely needed in India to improve the functioning of most PSBs, as the P J Nayak Committee has just reiterated,’ he added.
The governor said a number of eminently practicable suggestions have been made to reform PSBs, such as creating a holding company to hold government PSB shares, increasing the length of PSB CEO tenures, breaking up the position of chairman and CEO and bringing more independent professionals on bank boards, among others.‘We need to examine all these ideas carefully, many of which will help give public sector banks the flexibility to compete in the new environment,’ Rajan said.
He noted that in the past PSBs had the best talent. But today, past hiring freezes have decimated their middle management ranks, and private banks have also poached talented personnel from PSBs. ‘PSBs need to be able to recruit laterally, while retaining the talent they have, but to do so they need to be able to promise employees responsibility as well as the freedom of action,’ he added.
‘Indeed, the better performers will be able to raise more, unlike the current situation where the not so good performers have a greater call on the public purse. Competition will improve efficiency,’ he said.
The remarks came in his annual day lecture of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Rajan said there are well-managed public sector banks across the world and even in India today.
‘So, privatisation is not necessary to improve the competitiveness of the public sector. But a change in governance, management, and operational and compensation flexibility are almost surely needed in India to improve the functioning of most PSBs, as the P J Nayak Committee has just reiterated,’ he added.
The governor said a number of eminently practicable suggestions have been made to reform PSBs, such as creating a holding company to hold government PSB shares, increasing the length of PSB CEO tenures, breaking up the position of chairman and CEO and bringing more independent professionals on bank boards, among others.‘We need to examine all these ideas carefully, many of which will help give public sector banks the flexibility to compete in the new environment,’ Rajan said.
He noted that in the past PSBs had the best talent. But today, past hiring freezes have decimated their middle management ranks, and private banks have also poached talented personnel from PSBs. ‘PSBs need to be able to recruit laterally, while retaining the talent they have, but to do so they need to be able to promise employees responsibility as well as the freedom of action,’ he added.
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