An economic policy and legal analysis of The Micro Finance Institutions (Development & Regulation) Bill, 2011


Shubho Roy, Renuka Sane, Susan Thomas


In response to the Second Micro Finance Crisis in Andhra Pradesh, which took place in October 2010, the Ministry of Finance has pro- posed a new Micro Finance Institutions (Development & Regulation) Bill. This paper undertakes a detailed analysis of the draft Bill in terms of both economic policy and law. This analysis reveals many weak links, including: a lack of clarity on the objectives of the Bill; an insufficient focus on protection of the rights of the micro-borrower; lack of clarity about the definition of thrift; the loss of accountability that comes with multiple regulatory agencies; concerns about the rule of law; and constitutional issues about powers of the Centre versus the State Government.

Citation: An economic policy and legal analysis of The Micro Finance Institutions (Development & Regulation) Bill, 2011, Shubho Roy, Renuka Sane, Susan Thomas. IGIDR Working paper WP-2011-025, October 2011.

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