The
Presidents/CEOs,
All Banks,
Dear
Sirs / Madam,
PROCUREMENT
OF WHEAT BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR-2008
It
has been decided that with a view to ensure participation
of the private sector in the wheat procurement during the
wheat procurement season 2007-08 (year 2008), banks will
continue to provide financing facilities to their eligible
borrowers (licensed functional flour mills only)
for procurement of indigenous wheat strictly (from fresh
wheat crop 2008 ) subject to the following conditions: -
i.
The banks will ensure that the financing facilities extended
to their borrowers are strictly utilized for the purpose
for which they have been granted. Special efforts may
be made to ensure that the facilities availed for purposes
other than wheat procurement are not utilized for financing
of wheat stocks.
ii.
Loans provided to the private sector will be for the procurement
of fresh indigenous wheat only. These loans will be repayable
on or before 31st December, 2008 positively. Non compliance
of the requirement of SME & MFD Circular No.01 dated
26-01-2007 regarding adjustment of loans disbursed during
the year 2007 would make the prospective borrowers disentitled
to avail financing for procurement of wheat during 2008.
iii.
Fresh financing to the eligible borrowers for procurement
of wheat during 2008 shall start from commencement of
wheat procurement season 2008 in respective provinces.
This financing will be subject to minimum cash margin
requirement of 25% of the value of the wheat stock. Banks
shall not provide any financial facilities (funded or
non- funded) to enable borrowers to meet the margin requirements.
iv. Banks will provide financing facilities against pledge
of fresh wheat stock only and shall not extend funds to
the private sector for procurement of wheat against hypothecation
/ charge of moveable or immovable property.
v.
Banks will determine the rate of markup on lending to the
private sector for the purposes of wheat procurement depending
upon the risk profile of each borrower. As lending to the
government agencies for wheat procurement is secured against
government guarantee, it is expected that the related markup
rate would be competitive in comparison to the rate charged
to the borrower in private sector.
vi.
Banks will not entertain any application for grant of
fresh loans after 30th June, 2008 for procurement of wheat.
However, banks may provide financing facility to functional
flour mills for purchase of indigenous wheat from the
licensed wheat traders, who have procured wheat during
the procurement season and respective Food Department
against supply of wheat by them. Quantum of such loan
shall not be more than the value of wheat to be supplied
by the respective Food Department or actual purchase from
wheat traders commensurate to the milling capacity of
each mill. Banks will also monitor that existing stock
of wheat purchased by the concerned functional flour mill
has been grinded and that the by-products of wheat viz.
flour, meada , sujee etc, financed against bank loan have
also been released to the market gradually to repay the
loans so obtained. Financing against by-products of wheat
shall also be subject to the cash margin of 25%.
vii. Banks are also allowed to provide facilities for wheat
procurement by the seed processing plants, in line with
their lending policies and the capacity/production plans
of the seed processing plants. However banks may ensure
that such stock of wheat will be used for processing purposes.
viii.
Banks will ensure that no revaluation of the pledged stock
is considered for release of any differential amount to
the borrowers against stock of wheat pledged with the
banks.
ix.
The banks shall be under obligation to immediately recall
the advances allowed to the private sector in case of hoarding
of wheat by the functional flour mills. Therefore, while
executing financing agreement by the banks with their borrowers,
banks will clearly spell out that loans can be recalled
before agreed repayment / due date, upon receipt of directives
from the State Bank as and when it is deemed necessary to
curb hoarding. Banks will also ensure that no financing
is allowed by them to the flour mills for retirement of
the loans availed from other banks.
x.
Banks will ensure that weekly stock report for the wheat
held by functional flour mills and pledged with the bank
is inspected periodically. Report on the inspection should
be submitted regularly to this department, within 07 days
from the close of the month to which it relates, indicating
the name of the party, location of its godown etc as per
enclosed format (annexure A). The SBP would also verify
the authenticity/genuineness of such inspection reports
through its Banking Inspection Department and any concealment
of the fact or misstatement in this regard shall attract
penalties under the BCO, 1962. Banks will also ensure
that the wheat stock is gradually released to generate
cash resources for the purpose of repayment of bank loan.
xi. Banks will continue to submit a weekly statement in
respect of financing to private sector for wheat procurement
as per the format attached herewith (annexure B) within
seven days from the close of the relevant week. Delay in
submission / and or misreporting of data reported to SBP
will attract penal provision under BCO, 1962.
xii.
The lending shall be in compliance with the Prudential
Regulations and other instructions of SBP issued from
time to time.
Any violation of SBP instructions would attract penal provisions
under BCO, 1962.
Please
acknowledge receipt.