In the wake of the ₹ 13,000-crore Nirav Modi-centred scam, Punjab National Bank (PNB) has decided to hire the services of detective agencies.
Through an advertisement in its website, the bank has already invited applications from interested agencies.
“Punjab National Bank invites applications for empanelment of detective agencies for the period 2018-2019. Criteria of qualifications, experience, scope of work, application forms, undertakings, addresses of the zonal offices etc. are enclosed. Agencies already empanelled with the bank need not apply again. Please note that applications and copies of the qualification, experience, undertakings etc. be submitted to nearest zonal office of the bank till 05.05.2018 (5.00 p.m.).’’ the advertisement said.
The move to rope in the services of detective agencies is aimed at significantly supplementing the efforts of field officials in recovering bank’s dues in NPA (non-performing) accounts, the bank said. These detective agencies will help the bank, among others, in the following.
1. Locate the borrower(s) / co-borrower(s) / guarantor(s)/ mortgagor(s) in/outside India, including their legal heirs, who are either untraceable or not available at the addresses given in bank’s records.
2 Ascertain latest information about their present address(es)/ occupation(s), business(es), income streams, details of their all assets, whether charged or uncharged, their location (whether in India or abroad), value and ownership etc.
3 Get details of bank accounts maintained by the defaulting borrower(s) / guarantor(s), including their legal heirs.
4 Get details of credit facilities availed/to be availed by defaulting borrower(s)/ guarantor(s) from other banks
5 Confirm present state of ownership of the secured assets by personal visit(s)/market report, duly confirmed by the documents.
6 Gather any other information which the bank cannot access by utilizing normal channels like CIBIL/Internet/local enquiries and which may be considered necessary by the bank for recovery of the bank’s dues.
“All NPA accounts under any category i.e. sub-standard, doubtful and loss category (whether non-suit filed, suit filed or decreed) shall be covered by the policy in which engagement of detective agency is deemed appropriate, as per the requirement,’’ the bank said.
“Since there are no regulatory and statutory guidelines for detective agencies, preferably the agencies must be member of Association of Private Detectives & Investigators of India. The agency must have minimum 3 years of experience in this activity,’’ the bank said.
