SARFAESI Act 2002: Full Form, Meaning, Roles & Financial Recovery Via Property Auctions
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10 OCTOBER, 2024

NPAs and bad loans are a regular part of the financial industry. The SARFAESI Act 2002 is an important step that empowers banks to collect NPAs without involving a court. The Central Government constituted the Narasimham Committee and the Andhyarujina Committee to propose new legislation, allowing finance companies to foreclose and sell securities without court involvement legally. Here is a detailed guide to the SARFAESI Act.

What is the SARFAESI Act of 2002?

SARFAESI full form is “Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act”. It allows financial institutions to auction residential and commercial properties of defaulting borrowers to recover their loan outstanding balance. The primary aim of the Act is to reduce NPAs through various recovery and reconstruction methods.

Under the SARFAESI Act, a finance company can seize a borrower’s property without approaching the court, except for agricultural land. However, this is applicable only for secured loans where the borrower mortgages, pledges, or hypothecates an underlying security against the loan.

How SARFAESI Act, 2002 Works?

After learning what is SARFAESI Act, remember that it empowers a financial institution to seize the defaulting borrower's property in case of a Non-Performing Asset (NPA). When borrowers miss a loan installment, they start the process by issuing notices and giving them a short period to discharge their liabilities. If the borrower does not comply, the finance company follows these steps under the SARFAESI Act:

  • Possesses the loan security
  • Leases, sells, or assigns the security right

The Act also supports the establishment of ARCs – Asset Reconstruction Companies that deal with acquiring and resolving NPAs from financial institutions.

What are the Objectives of the SARFAESI Act, 2002?

Some major objectives of the SARFAESI Act 2002 are as follows:

  • Providing a mechanism to banks and finance companies to recover their loan amount from secured assets
  • Allowing financial institutions to auction residential or commercial properties when the borrowers default on repayments
  • Minimising the cost and time for the recovery of secured assets
  • Protecting the interests of depositors and borrowers
  • Promoting financial stability

Documents Required in the SARFAESI Act, 2002?

The SARFAESI Act required specific documentation for various amendments and applications. These include the following:

  • E-Form CHG-1 or e-Form CHG-9 for applying registration of creation and modification of charge
  • Charge particulars
  • Certificate of registration
  • Charge instrument, including an instrument copy to create or modify the charge
  • Hypothecation deed
  • Sanction letter

For digitally signed e-Form, the following documents are required:

  • Charge holder’s DSC
  • The Director’s Director Identification Number [DIN]
  • The manager, CFO, or CEO’s Permanent Account Number [PAN]
  • Company Secretary’s Membership Number

Role of SARFAESI Act, 2002

As the SARFAESI Act full form indicates, the Act plays a crucial role in improving debt recovery and strengthening the financial sector of India by managing the following:

  • Securitising financial assets and issuing security receipts
  • Acquiring financial assets by issuing bonds or debentures
  • Taking proper measures for the sale, management, settlement, debt restructuring, or taking possession according to the RBI guidelines
  • Enforcing security interest without court intervention
  • Representing the bank or financial institution during the recovery process
  • Managing secured assets
  • Acting as the court’s receiver

Formation of SARFAESI Act, 2002

The primary purpose of forming the SARFAESI Act 2002 was to regulate the reconstruction or securitisation of financial assets and enforce security interests throughout the country. An amendment was published in the Official Gazette’s Amendment Act in 2016. The Act amends four laws:

  • SARFAESI (Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002)
  • RDDBFI (Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993)
  • Indian Stamp Act, 1899

Depositories Act, 1996 and the connected matters

Why is the SARFAESI Act 2002 Important?

Every country’s economy largely depends on its financial industry. The SARFAESI Act 2002 provides a guideline for securitisation, allowing financial institutions to seize and sell collateral properties for recovery without the court’s intervention. After identifying a Non-Performing Asset, the finance company addresses the problem through various approaches under the guidelines. Moreover, the Reserve Bank of India oversees the SARFAESI working and institutions, ensuring security and fairness for all parties.

The SARFAESI Act is important in many ways, including the following:

  • Accelerates the Recovery Process: Since the Act eliminates the need to approach a civil court, financial institutions can rapidly resolve NPAs and reinvest the recovered funds into the business.
  • Makes Finance Companies More Powerful: The Act empowers financial institutions to act under Section 13 (4) with pending civil litigation by specifying non-compliance and violation penalties.
  • Governance: The legal framework governs security interests and transactions with the court's help. Finance companies can effectively deal with loan defaults while managing assets and establishing asset reconstruction and securitisation firms.

Read Also : What is Meebhoomi Land Record?: Meebhoomi Adangal,  Land Records in Andhra Pradesh

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FAQs about SARFAESI Act 2002

Which property is covered under the SARFAESI Act?

The SARFAESI Act covers all residential and commercial properties pledged as security against a loan. However, the Act does not cover agricultural properties.

What is the limit of SARFAESI?

The Act applies to any loan above Rs. 1 Lakh classified as an NPA. It does not include a loan repaid over 80%.

Which banks are covered under the SARFAESI Act?

The Act covers all types of banks, including private and public sector banks, cooperative banks, and foreign banks.

Which type of property is not covered under the SARFAESI Act?

The SARFAESI Act does not cover agricultural property. Moreover, it does not include loans under ₹ 1 Lakh or loans that are already repaid more than 80%.

What does the SARFAESI Act not apply to?

The SARFAESI Act does not cover security or money issued under the Indian Contract Act of 1872 or the Sale of Goods Act of 1930. Conditional sales, hire-purchases, leases, etc., are also not covered as they do not include security interests.

Disclaimer: This Article is for information purpose only. The views expressed in this Article do not necessarily constitute the views of Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (“Bank”) or its employees. Bank make no warranty of any kind with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the material and articles contained in this Newsletter. The information contained in this Article is sourced from empaneled external experts for the benefit of the customers and it does not constitute legal advice from Kotak. Kotak, its directors, employees and the contributors shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss resulting from or arising due to reliance on or use of any information contained herein.