₹19,000 crore.
That is what Banks collected in last 3 years just for not maintaining ‘Minimum Account Balance.’
Not from the rich. Not from big borrowers.
From the poorest accounts in the system.
Their crime? They didn’t have enough money.
A farmer misses the minimum balance – Penalty.
A pensioner withdraws money for medicine – Penalty.
A daily wage worker falls short by a few hundred rupees – Penalty.
The poor keep money in banks for safety. Not to be quietly fined for being poor.
Financial inclusion should protect small savings, not punish small balances.
In Parliament today I proposed ending minimum balance penalties so the banking system stops charging people for their poverty.
