Banking

Finance Minister launches eBkray for online auction of assets attached by banks

28.12.2019

In order to enhance digital transaction, eBkray, a common e-auction platform was launched by the Finance Minister. The platform is equipped with property search features and navigational links to all PSB e-auction sites, provides single-window access to information on properties up for e-auction as well as facility for comparison of similar properties. It also contains photographs and videos of uploaded properties and as on 27th December, 2019, a total of 35,000 properties had been uploaded on the platform by PSBs.

With a vision to strengthen the digital payment eco-system and move towards less-cash economy, Finance Minister in her budget speech of 2019-20 had announced that, business establishments with annual turnover of more than Rs. 50 crore shall offer low cost digital modes of payment (such as BHIM UPI, UPI QR Code, Aadhaar Pay, Debit Cards, NEFT, RTGS etc.) to their customers, and no charge or Merchant discount rates (MDR) shall be imposed on customers as well as merchants. To facilitate implementation of this announcement, it was decided that, Department of Revenue (DoR) will notify RuPay and UPI as the prescribed mode of payment for undertaking digital transactions without any MDR. Accordingly, all companies with a turnover of Rs. 50 crore or more shall be mandated by DoR to provide the facility of payment through RuPay Debit card and UPI QR code to their customers. All banks will also start a campaign to popularise RuPay Debit card and UPI.

The portal will enable access to information by the search based on the type and location of the property put up for e-auction by the banks. Further, Bankers were assured that prudent commercial decision-making would be protected. To allay any apprehensions, it was decided that, CBI notices would carry a registration number to avoid any scope for unauthorised communication and consequent harassment. PSBs may report instances of fraud through e-filing of FIRs on a designated email address of CBI so as to avoid scope of any arbitrage due to information asymmetry. CBI would create a dedicated phone number on which any person could give information regarding any undue harassment by the investigative machinery. Banks were also advised to ensure rigor and adherence to objective standards in selection of forensic auditors and devising objective SOPs for carrying out of forensic audit.

Tags : EBkray Online auction Launch

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