Updated: Thursday April 17, 2014/AlKhamis
Jamada El Thaniah 17, 1435/Bruhaspathivara
Chaitra 27, 1936, at 07:15:24 PM
The Microfinance Institutions Ordinance,
2001
(Ordinance No.
(Gazette of
An
Ordinance to regulate the establishment, business and operations of
microfinance institutions.
WHEREAS
it is expedient to promote the establishment of microfinance institutions for
providing organizational, financial and infrastructural support to poor
persons, particularly poor women, for mitigating poverty and promoting social
welfare and economic justice through community building and social mobilization
and to provide for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto;
AND
WHEREAS it is essential to regulate microfinance institutions to protect the
depositors and customers and to safeguard these institutions against political
and other outside interference;
AND
WHEREAS the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it
necessary to take immediate action;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of Emergency of the fourteenth day
of October, 1999, and Provisional Constitution Order No.1 of 1999, read with
the Provisional Constitution (Amendment) Order No.9 of 1999, and in exercise of
all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President of the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:---
PART I – PRELIMINARY
1.
Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Ordinance may be called the Microfinance Institutions
Ordinance, 2001.
(2)
It extends to the whole of
(3)
It shall come into force at once.
2.
Definitions.- In
this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,---
(a)
“auditor” means any person who is appointed in accordance with the provisions
of this Ordinance for the audit of the accounts of a microfinance institution;
(b)
“Banking Companies Ordinance” means the Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962 (LVII
of 1962);
(c)
“company” means a company incorporated under the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (
XLVII of 1984), or any other law for the time being in force;
(d)
“customer” means any person or group of persons availing the services of a
microfinance institution;
(e)
“deposit” means the deposit of money, repayable on demand or otherwise,
accepted by a microfinance institution from the public for the purpose of
providing microfinance services;
(f)
“depositor” means a person in whose name a deposit is held by a microfinance
institution;
(g)
“license” means the license issued by the State Bank and the expression
“licensed” should be construed accordingly;
(h)
“member” means the member or shareholder who has contributed or subscribed to
the capital of a microfinance institution;
(i)
“microfinance institution” means a company that accepts deposits from the
public for the purpose of providing microfinance services;
(j)
“microfinance services” means the financial and other related services
specified in section 6, the value of which does not exceed such amount as the
State Bank may, from time to time, determine;
(k)
“poor persons” means persons who have meager means of subsistence and whose
total income or receipt during a year is less than the minimum taxable limit
set out in the law relating to income-tax;
(l)
“prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Ordinance;
(m)
“specified area” means the district, province or other specified area within
which a microfinance institution is licensed to operate; and
(n)
“ State Bank” means the State Bank of Pakistan established under the State Bank
Act, 1956 ( XXXIII of 1956).
3.
Applications of other laws.- (1)
The provisions of this Ordinance shall be in addition to, and, save as
hereinafter provided, not in derogation of, any other law for the time being in
force.
(2)
Save as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, the Banking Companies Ordinance
and any other law for the time being in force relating to banking companies or
financial institutions shall not apply to microfinance institutions licensed
under this Ordinance and microfinance institution shall not be deemed to be a
banking company for the purposes of the said Ordinance, the State Bank of
Pakistan Act, 1956 (XXXIII of 1956), or any other law for the time being in
force relating to banking companies.
(3)
Save as expressly provided in this Ordinance, the provisions of this Ordinance
shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any rules, regulations,
memoranda or articles of association of a microfinance institution or in any
resolution passed by such institution in its general meeting or by its Board of
Directors, whether the same be applied, executed or passed before or after the commencement
of this Ordinance and any provision contained in any rules, regulations,
memoranda, articles or resolutions aforesaid shall, to the extent of its
inconsistency become or be void and of no legal effect.
PART II - ESTABLISHMENT AND
WINDING UP
4.
Restrictions on establishment and operations.- (1) No person, other than a
company, shall be established as a microfinance institution.
(2)
No microfinance institution shall commence, or carry on, the business of taking
deposits unless and until such institution has been licensed in accordance with
the provisions of this Ordinance.
5.
Name.- (1) No
person other than a licensed microfinance institution shall use with its name
the words “Microfinance Bank”, “MFB’,
“Microfinance
Institution” or “MFI” or derivatives or any words or letters which suggest that
it is a microfinance institution.
(2)
Whoever, without being licensed, uses the name “Microfinance Bank” , “MFB”,
“Microfinance Institution” or “MFI “ or derivatives or any word or letters
which suggest that it is a microfinance institution shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and with fine which may
extend to one hundred thousand rupees.
6.
Functions and powers.- (1)
A microfinance institution shall, in accordance with prudential regulations and
subject to the terms and conditions of the license issued by the State bank,
render assistance to micro-enterprises and provide microfinance services in a sustainable
manner to poor persons, preferably poor women, with a view to alleviating
poverty.
(2)
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the powers and
functions of microfinance institutions shall be:---
(a)
to provide financing facilities, with or without collateral security, in cash
or in kind, for such terms and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed,
to poor persons for all types of economic activities including housing, but excluding
business in foreign exchange transactions;
(b)
to accept deposits;
(c)
to accept pledges, mortgages, hypothecations or assignments to it of any kind
of movable or immovable property for the purpose of securing loans and advances
made by it;
(d)
to undertake the management, control and supervision of any Organization,
enterprise, scheme, trust fund or endowment fund for the benefit and advancement
of poor persons;
(e)
to buy, sell and supply on credit to poor persons industrial and agricultural
inputs, livestock, machinery and industrial raw materials, and to act as agent
for any Organization for the sale of such goods or livestock;
(f)
to invest in shares of any body corporate, the objective of which is to provide
microfinance services to poor persons;
(g)
to provide storage and safe custody facilities;
(h)
to carry out survey and research, and to issue publication and maintain
statistics relating to the improvement of economic condition of poor persons;
(i)
to provide professional advice to poor persons regarding investments in small
business and such cottage industries as may be prescribed;
(j)
to encourage investments in such cottage industries and income generating
projects for poor persons as may be prescribed;
(k)
to provide services and facilities to customers to hedge various risks relating
to microfinance activities;
(l)
to render managerial, marketing, technical and administrative advice to
customers and assisting them in obtaining services in such fields;
(m)
to borrow and raise money and open bank accounts;
(n)
to purchase, take on lease, or otherwise acquire, sell, exchange, surrender,
lease, mortgage, dispose of and deal in any movable and immovable property and
rights of all kinds for and on behalf of its customers for the purpose of promoting
development opportunities, building of assets, resource allocation, promotion
of markets, and adoption of better technology for economic growth and development;
(o)
to establish subsidiaries, whether wholly or partly owned, and to appoint
agents in various locations for various activities which it may consider necessary
for the proper discharge of its functions;
(p)
to pay, receive, collect and remit money and securities within the country;
(q)
to acquire, maintain and transfer all movable and immovable property including
residential premises, for carrying on its business;
(r)
to open account or make any agency arrangement with, and to act as agent or
correspondent of, any bank or financial institution;
(s)
to invest its surplus funds in Government securities;
(t)
to impose and receive fees, charges, profits or return for its services;
(u)
to mobilize and provide financial and technical assistance and training to
micro enterprises;
(v)
to undertake mobile banking to expedite transactions and reduce costs;
(w)
to establish trust and endowment funds;
(x)
to receive grants from the government and any other sources permitted by the
State Bank; and
(y)
to generally do and perform all such acts, deeds and things as may be
necessary, incidental or conducive to the fulfillment of their functions and
the attainment of their objectives;
7.
Prohibition and restrictions.- (1) A microfinance institution shall not undertake or
transact any kind of business other than that authorized by, or under, this Ordinance.
(2)
In performance of its functions under this Ordinance, a microfinance
institution shall have proper regard to the economic and commercial merits of
any or the transactions or activities it plans to undertake or assist.
(3)
Where a microfinance institution is required by any authority to undertake or
assist a micro enterprise or other such activities which it considers
economically or otherwise unsound, the microfinance institution shall not
undertake or assist such activity until and unless the said authority has
provided adequate guarantee to the microfinance institution or indemnify any
losses that it may incur in the undertaking of such activity.
(4)
No microfinance institution shall create a floating charge on the undertaking
or any of its assets or part thereof, unless the creation of such floating
charge is certified in writing by the State Bank as not being detrimental to
the interest of the depositors of such institution.
(5)
Any such charge created without obtaining the certificate of the State Bank
shall be invalid.
(6)
Any microfinance institution aggrieved by the refusal of a certificate under
sub-section (4) may, within thirty days from the date on which such refusal is
communicated to it, prefer an appeal to the Central Board of the State Bank
whose decision thereon shall be final.
8.
Principal Office.- (1)
The principal office of a microfinance institution shall be situated in the
specified area and shall not be changed without prior approval of the State
Bank. The microfinance institution may, with the approval of the State Bank,
establish branch offices at such other place, or places, in the specified area
as it may think fit.
(2)
A microfinance institution shall furnish to the State Bank an annual plan
indicating the place where new branches will be opened or the names of agents
to be appointed together with the details of their duties and functions.
(3)
A microfinance institution shall give at least thirty days’ advance notice to
the State Bank for opening of a new branch or appointment of an agent.
(4)
Unless otherwise advised by the State Bank, the opening of the new branch or
appointment of an agent shall be deemed to be licensed at the expiry of thirty
days of the notice given to the State Bank under sub-section (3).
9.
Area of operation.- A
microfinance institution shall be licensed to operate in an
area
which may consist of,---
(a)
a district;
(b)
a province; or
(c)
the whole of
10.
Capitalization.- (1)
No microfinance institution shall operate unless it has a paid
up
capital of not less than,---
(a)
One hundred million rupees or such higher amounts, as may be prescribed from
time to time, for microfinance institutions to whom a license to operate in a
specified district is issued.
(b)
two hundred and fifty million rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed
from time to time, for microfinance institutions to whom a license to operate
in a specified province is issued; and
(c)
five hundred million rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed from
time to time, microfinance institutions to whom a license to operate nationally
is issued.
I. Explanation
A
district, for the purpose of this sub-section, shall include the
(2)
Not less than fifty-one per cent of the paid up capital of a microfinance institution
shall be subscribed by the promoters or sponsor members and the shares
subscribed to by the promoters or sponsor members shall remain in the custody
of State Bank and shall neither be transferable nor encumbrance of any kind
shall be created thereon without prior permission, in writing, of the State
Bank.
11.
Winding up.- The
provisions’ of Banking Companies Ordinance for winding up of banking companies
shall, mutates mutandis, apply to microfinance institutions for the
purpose of their winding up.
PART III – LICENSING
12.
Existing microfinance institutions.- (1) Any person performing the functions of a microfinance institution
on the commencement of this Ordinance shall on such form accompanying such
information and fee as may be prescribed, make an application to the State Bank
for issuance of a license to take deposits.
(2)
The State Bank may, on receipt of the application, make such enquiries as it
considers necessary and either grant a license as specified in sub-sections (2)
and (3) of section 13 or, for reason to be recorded in writing, reject the
application for the license.
(3)
Where an application for a license has been made in respect of a microfinance
institution in existence on the commencement of this Ordinance, and such
application is rejected, the operations of the microfinance institution may be continued
for a period of thirty days from the date on which its application is rejected,
or if an appeal is referred under subsection (4), until such appeal is disposed
of.
(4)
If the State Bank rejects an application for a license in respect of a
microfinance in existence on the commencement of this Ordinance, the applicant
may, within thirty days from the date of the order of the State Bank, prefer an
appeal to the Central Board of the State Bank, and the order passed by the Central
Board shall be final.
13.
Licensing.- (1)
Before taking deposits, a microfinance institution shall apply to the State
Bank, on such form accompanying such information and fee as may be prescribed,
for issuance of a license to take deposits.
(2)
The State Bank may issue license to operate in a specific district, province or
other area, subject to such conditions as the State Bank may think fit to
impose.
(3)
Before granting any license under this section, the State Bank shall satisfy
itself by an inspection of the books of the microfinance institution or
otherwise that all or any of the following conditions are fulfilled, namely:---
(a)
that the microfinance institution is, or will be, in a position to meet its
liabilities to the present or future customers in full as and when such
liabilities accrue; and
(b)
that the affairs of the microfinance institution are not being, or are not
likely to be, conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of its members
and present or future customers.
(4)
The State Bank may suspend or cancel a license granted to a microfinance
institution if such institution:
(a)
at any time fails to comply with any of the conditions imposed upon it under
sub-section (2); or
(b)
fails to fulfill, at any time, any of the conditions referred to in sub-section
(3);
(c)
has furnished false or misleading information in its application for a license;
or
(d)
has gone into liquidation, suspended its business activities or ceased to carry
on business as microfinance institution in
Provided
that before suspending or canceling a license under clause (a) or clause (b),
the State Bank, unless it is of the opinion that the delay may be prejudicial
to the interest of the microfinance institution’s depositors or the public,
shall grant to the microfinance institution on such terms as it may specify, an
opportunity of taking the necessary steps to comply with or fulfill such
condition.
(5)
No license shall be suspended or cancelled under subsection (4) unless and
until the microfinance institution is called upon by a notice in writing by the
State Bank to show cause within fifteen days as to why its license should not
be suspended or cancelled.
(6)
In the event of suspension or cancellation of a license the microfinance
institution concerned shall be notified forthwith and, from the date of such
notification, shall cease to transact any business other than that required to
wind up its affairs with the approval of the State Bank. The State Bank shall publish
notice of such suspension or cancellation in one leading Urdu language
newspaper and one English language newspaper in addition to its publication in
the official Gazette.
(7)
The provisions of sub-section (4) shall not prejudice the rights or claims of
any person against the microfinance institution or of the microfinance
institution against any person.
(8)
A microfinance institution aggrieved by the decision of the State Bank for
suspension or cancellation of its license may, within thirty days from the date
on which such decision is communicated to it, apply for review to the Central
Board of the State Bank.
(9)
The decision of the State Bank, subject to the result of review by the Central
Board of the State Bank under sub-section(8), shall be final.
PART IV - REGULATION AND
SUPERVISION
14.
Management and administration.- (1) The general superintendence and management of the affairs
of a microfinance institution shall vest in its Board of Directors which shall
manage its business and affairs in accordance with the principles of good
governance.
(2)
There shall be a chief executive officer who shall work full time and be
responsible for the day-to-day administration of microfinance institution.
(3)
The State Bank shall ensure that the persons serving on the Board of Directors
and the chief executive officer of a microfinance institution are persons of
integrity and have good financial reputation.
15.
Accounts.- (1) A
microfinance institution shall maintain proper books of accounts and, at the
expiration of each calendar year, prepare annual statement of accounts
including the profit and loss account and balance sheet as may be prescribed.
(2)
A microfinance institution shall, in respect of such accounts, comply with such
general directions as the State Bank may, from time to time, issue.
16.
Audit.- (1) The
accounts of a microfinance institution for each accounting year ending 31st
December shall be audited by one or more auditors who are chartered accountants
within the meaning of the Chartered Accountants Ordinance, 1961 (X of 1961),
and whose names are included in the panel of approved auditors maintained by
the State Bank.
(2)
The auditor or auditors shall be appointed for such terms and on such
remuneration, to be paid by the microfinance institution, as the Board of
Directors of such institution may fix:---
Provided
that the auditors once appointed shall not be removed before three years
without the prior approval of the State Bank and no auditor shall serve as
external auditor of a microfinance institution consecutively for more than
three years.
(3)
Every auditor, appointed under sub-section (2), shall be given a copy the
annual balance sheet and other accounts of the microfinance institution who
shall examine it, together with the accounts and vouchers relating thereto, and
shall have a list delivered to him of all books kept by the microfinance institution,
and shall, at all reasonable times, have access to the books of accounts and
documents of the microfinance institution, and may, in relation to such
accounts, examine any director or officer of the microfinance institution.
(4)
The auditors shall report to the Board of Directors of the microfinance
institution upon the annual accounts and balance sheet and in their report they
shall state whether, in their opinion, the balance sheet contains all necessary
particulars and is properly drawn up so as to exhibit a true and correct view
of the state of affairs of the microfinance institution and, in case they have
called for any explanation or information from the microfinance institution,
whether it has been given and whether it is satisfactory.
(5)
The audited financial statements shall be published within three months of
close of its financial year and microfinance institution shall cause its
accounts to be published in a daily newspaper having wide circulation in the
specified area.
(6)
A microfinance institution shall submit audited financial statements along with
auditors’ report to the State Bank within three months of the close of its
financial year.
(7)
Nothing in this Ordinance shall apply to the preparation of accounts by a
microfinance institution and its audit in respect of any accounting year which
has expired prior to the commencement of this Ordinance, and notwithstanding
the other provision of this Ordinance such accounts shall be prepared, audited
and submitted in accordance with the law in force immediately before such
commencement.
17.
Returns.- (1) A
microfinance institution shall furnish to the State Bank such returns, reports
and information as may be prescribed.
(2)
Without limitation to the foregoing, a microfinance institution shall,---
(a)
maintain a register of its members, Board of Directors and the chief executive
officer and provide information thereof to the State Bank at such time and in
such manner as may be prescribed;
(b)
maintain accounts and have the same audited at such time and in such manner as
may be prescribed;
(c)
submit its annual report and audited accounts to the State Bank and publish the
same for general information at such time and in such manner as may be
prescribed; and
(d)
furnish to the State Bank such particulars with regard to accounts and other
records as the State Bank may from time to time require.
(3)
The State Bank, or any officer duly authorized by it in this behalf, may at all
reasonable times inspect the books of account and other records of a
microfinance institution, the securities, cash and other properties held by
such institution, and all documents relating thereto.
18.
Liquidity and reserves.- (1)
A microfinance institution shall maintain investment in liquid assets, i.e.
cash, gold and unencumbered approved securities, valued at a price not
exceeding the lower of the cost and the current market price, which shall not
at the close of business on any day be less than such percentage of the total
of its time and demand liabilities, as may be notified by the State bank from
time to time:---
Provided
that the State Bank may separately specify the applicable percentage either in
general or in relation to any class of microfinance institution in particular.
Explanation
(a)
For the purpose of this section, the expression “unencumbered approved
securities” shall include approved securities of a microfinance institution
lodged with another microfinance institution or institution for an advance or
any other credit management to the extent to which such securities have not
been drawn against or availed of, and the expression “liabilities” shall not
include the paid up capital or reserves or any credit balance in the profit and
loss account of the microfinance institution or any such liabilities as may be
notified by the State Bank for the purposes of this section.
(b)
In computing the amount provided for in clause (a) any balances maintained in
(c)
A microfinance institution shall furnish to the State Bank a monthly return,
before the close of the month succeeding the month to which the return relates,
in the prescribed form and manner, showing particulars of the microfinance
institution’s assets maintained in accordance with this section and its time
and demand liabilities at the close of business on each Saturday during the
month, or if any Saturday is a public holiday under the Negotiable Instrument
Act, 1881 (XXVI of 1881), at the close of business on the preceding working
day.
(2)
A microfinance institution shall maintain by way of cash reserve in cash in
current account, opened with the State Bank or its agent, a sum equivalent to
five per cent of its deposits or such higher percentage as State bank may from
time to time notify. A microfinance institution shall submit to the State Bank before
the fifteenth day of every month a return showing the amount so held on
Saturday of each week of the preceding month with particulars of its time and
demand liabilities on each such Saturday or if any such Saturday is a public
holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (XXVI of 1881), at the close
of business on the preceding working day. The amount of cash reserve held by
the State Bank shall be remunerated at a rate at which thirty days Treasury
Bills of the Federal Government are remunerated.
Explanation
For
the purpose of this section the expression “liabilities” shall not include the
paid up capital, the reserves or any credit balance in the profit and loss
account of a microfinance institution, the amount of any loan taken from the
State Bank and the amount received as loan in Pakistan currency by a microfinance
institution from the Federal Government out of a foreign currency loan
contracted by the Government or the amount of foreign currency loans obtained
by the microfinance institution directly from any foreign agency but should
include the amount of any other rupee loan taken from the Federal Government.
(3)
A microfinance institution shall create and maintain a Statutory Reserve Fund
to which shall be credited each year, a sum equivalent to such percentage of
its after tax profit as may be prescribed. No appropriation from the Statutory
Reserve Fund shall be made without prior written approval of the State Bank. A
microfinance institution shall also create other reserves as required by the
State Bank from time to time.
19.
Depositors’ protection fund.- (1) A microfinance institution shall, as required by the
State Bank, establish and maintain depositors’ protection fund or scheme for
the purpose of providing security or guarantee to persons depositing money in
such institution.
(2)
Five per cent of the annual after tax profits of a microfinance institution and
profits earned on the investments of the fund shall be credited to the
depositors’ protection Fund and such fund shall either be invested in
Government securities or deposited with State Bank in a remunerative account.
(3)
The depositors’ protection fund shall be used to make payment to the individual
depositors with aggregate deposits of up to ten thousand rupees in case of
liquidation of the microfinance institution.
(4)
The depositors’ protection fund shall be operative with effect from the expiry
of five years from the date of first Annual Balance Sheet of the microfinance
institution and shall remain unencumbered at all times.
20.
Power to call for information.- Where it appears to the State Bank that a person is carrying
on the business of a microfinance institution in contravention of section 4,
the State Bank may:---
(a)
direct such person or any other person who is, or has at any time, been
dealing, doing business or associating in any manner with such person, to give
or furnish to the State Bank within a specified period such books, accounts,
information, documents or records relating to such microfinance institution’s
business as may be within the custody, possession or control of such person;
(b)
authorize any person to enter and search any premises and seize books, accounts
or other documents or records relating to such business;
(c)
inspect and examine any of the books, accounts, documents or records referred
to in clause (a); and
(d)
exercise as far as may be applicable the powers conferred on the State Bank
under section 22.
21.
Inspection and investigation.- (1) The State Bank may, at any time, inspect books of
accounts and records of any microfinance institution to evaluate its financial
viability and may, of its own or on receipt of complaint investigate the
affairs of such institution.
(2)
The inspection or investigation shall be carried out by such officer of the
State Bank or by such other person as the State Bank may authorize.
(3)
It shall be the duty of every officer and employee of a microfinance
institution or any other person dealing with or connected with the operations
of the microfinance institution to produce to any officer, making an inspection
or investigation under this section, hereafter in this section called the
inspecting officer, all such books, accounts and other documents in his custody
or power and to furnish him with such statements and information relating to
the affairs of the microfinance institution within such time as the inspecting
officer may require.
(4)
The inspecting officer may examine on oath any officer or employee of the
microfinance institution in relation to its business and may administer an oath
accordingly.
(5)
The State Bank shall supply to the microfinance institution a copy of its
report on the inspection made under this section.
(6)
The State Bank shall systematically monitor and evaluate the performance of a
microfinance institution to ensure that it is complying with the applicable
criteria and prudential rules and regulations:---
Provided
that if any officer or any employee fails to produce any books of account or
other documents or to furnish any statement or information which under
sub-section (3) it is his duty to produce or furnish or to answer correctly any
question relating to the business of the microfinance institution which he is
asked by an inspecting officer, such officer or employee shall be liable to
fine as the State Bank may determine to be recovered from the salary of such
officer or employee and, in the event such failure persists, the State Bank may
order removal of such officer or employee and the microfinance institution
shall comply with such order forthwith.
22.
Powers to give directions.- (1)
Where the State Bank is satisfied that, (a) in the public interest; or
(b)
to prevent the affairs of a microfinance institution being conducted in a
manner detrimental to the interest of the depositors or in a manner prejudicial
to the interest of a microfinance institution; or
(c)
in furtherance of monetary or financial sector policy; or
(d)
to secure the proper management of a microfinance institution, it is necessary
to issue directions to microfinance institutions generally or to any
microfinance institution in particular, it may, from time to time, issue such directions
as it may deem fit and the microfinance institutions or the microfinance
institution, as the case may be, shall comply with such directions.
(2)
The State Bank may, on representation made to it or of its own motion, modify
or cancel any direction issued under subsection (1), and in so modifying or
canceling any direction may impose such condition, as it thinks fit, subject to
which the modification or cancellation shall have effect.
PART V - MISCELLANEOUS
23.
Penalties.- (1)
Whoever carries on the business of a microfinance institution without having
been licensed to do so or who carries on such business after the license
therefore has been suspended or cancelled shall be punished with imprisonment
for a term which shall not be less than five years.
(2)
Any person who willfully withholds or fails to deliver any document or
information or makes a statement in any return, balance sheet or other document
or in any information required or furnished under, or for the purpose of any
provision of, this Ordinance which to the knowledge of such person is false in
any material respect, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which
may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand
rupees, or with both.
(3)
Any person who contravenes any other provision of this Ordinance or does not
comply with any requirement of this Ordinance or any rule, regulation, order,
instruction, condition made, given or imposed hereunder shall be liable to such
fine as the State Bank may, from time to time determine.
(4)
If any officer of a microfinance institution, mismanages the affairs of the
microfinance institution or misuses his position for gaining direct or indirect
benefit for himself or any of his family members, he shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be
liable to fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees, and shall be
ordered, by the court trying the case, to deliver or refund within a time to be
fixed by the court any property acquired or gained by him in his own name or in
the name of his family members by using his position or, in default, to suffer
further imprisonment for a term which may extend to six years.
(5)
A microfinance institution, which fails to maintain liquid assets and reserves
in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance, shall be punished with a
fine equivalent to one per cent of the shortfall for every day in which the
failure occurs.
24.
Continuance of charge and priority.- Where a charge over any property has been, or is, created by any
person in favour of a microfinance institution to secure any of the services
extended by the microfinance institution to such person, such charge shall
continue to remain valid and shall maintain its priority in favour of the
microfinance institution against all charges created by such person in favour
of any other person subsequent to the original date of registration of such
charge.
25.
Restrictions on removal of records and documents.- No microfinance institution shall
remove from the specified area, to a place outside the specified area, any of
its records and documents relating to its business without the prior permission
in writing of the State Bank.
Explanation
In
this section the expression “records” includes ledgers, day books, cash books,
books of accounts, and all other books, maintained either on paper books or on
electronic or magnetic devices, used in the business of a microfinance
institution; and
the
expression “document” includes vouchers, cheques, bills, pay orders, securities
for advances and any other documents supporting entries in the books of
accounts, or claims by or against, a microfinance institution.
26.
Non-disclosure of information.- (1) Except as otherwise required under this Ordinance, no information
or data provided by a person, applying to the microfinance institution for
financial assistance or any other service, shall be disclosed or used by any
officer or employee of the microfinance institution for any purpose other than
the purpose for which it was intended.
(2)
Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be guilty of
an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six
months or with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees, or with
both.
27.
False information.- Whoever
in any application for obtaining assistance or in any balance sheet, statement of
profit and loss, declaration or any other document submitted to the
microfinance institution for the purpose of obtaining any financial aid sought
or granted under this Ordinance, willfully makes false statement or knowingly
permits any false statement to be made or to remain, or uses or permits to be
used any financial facility for any purpose other than that for which it is
granted by the microfinance institution shall be punishable with imprisonment for
a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one
hundred thousand rupees, or with both.
28.
Cognizance of offences.- (1)
No court shall take cognizance of an offence under this Ordinance except on
complaint in writing made by an officer of the State Bank authorized in this
behalf.
(2)
Notwithstanding anything in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of
1898),---
(a)
no court other than that of a Judicial Magistrate of the first class shall try
an offence under this Ordinance; and
(b)
it shall be lawful for the Judicial Magistrate to pass any sentence authorized
by this Ordinance.
29.
Indemnity.- No
suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Federal Government, the
State Bank or any officer of the Federal Government or the State Bank for
anything which is in good faith done, or intended to be done, under this
Ordinance or of any rules, regulations or orders made thereunder.
30.
Power to make rules.- (1)
The State Bank may, with the approval of the Federal Government, by
notification in; the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes
and provisions of this Ordinance.
(2)
In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power,
such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---
(a)
specifying the portion of profits, if any, and other income of a microfinance
institution required to be utilized to promote the objective of the
microfinance institution;
(b)
regarding the term and conditions for providing microfinance services to be
extended by microfinance institutions;
(c)
regarding investments in small business and such cottage industries;
(d)
regarding investments in cottage industries and income-generating projects for
poor persons;
(e)
specifying criteria for operation in the specified area;
(f)
regarding capitalization;
(g)
regarding the forms, fees and procedures for licensing;
(h)
specifying principles of good governance;
(i)
regarding audit, accounts, and returns to be filed by microfinance
institutions; and
(j)
regarding liquidity and reserve requirements.
31.
Power to make regulations.- The
State Bank may make regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Ordinance and the rules, to provide for all matters for which provision is
necessary or expedient for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of
this Ordinance and efficient conduct of the affairs of a microfinance
institution.
32.
Removal of difficulties.- (1)
Subject to sub-section (2), if any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of
the provisions of this Ordinance, the Federal Government may make such order,
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, as may appear to it to
be necessary for the purpose of removing the difficulty.
(2)
No order under sub-section (1) shall be made after expiry of two years from the
commencement of this Ordinance.
GENERAL
PERVEZ MUSHARRAF
President
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