The Hindu Business Line : Insurance reforms gain pace; FDI cap to be hiked to 49%

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Insurance reforms gain pace; FDI cap to be hiked to 49%

Bill introduced in Rajya Sabha amid stiff protests from Left parties.

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Dec. 22 In the last leg of its term, the UPA Government has come up with a big-bang approach to insurance sector reforms by introducing two Bills in Parliament.

This would pave the way for the much-awaited hike in foreign direct investment (FDI) in an Indian insurance company to 49 per cent from 26 per cent, permit foreign re-insurers to set up branches here and do away with divestment restrictions on Indian promoters of insurance companies to enable entry of more players into the sector.

While a Bill to amend the insurance laws was introduced in the Rajya Sabha, the Government also introduced the Life Insurance Corporation (amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, with Left parties lodging stout protests against their introduction in both the Houses, amid a melee.

Later, the Left parties charged that the proposed move to increase the FDI cap was “a shameless move to facilitate greater control of the insurance sector by foreign insurance companies”.

“It was shocking that the Congress-led Government was taking this step at a time when the financial crisis in the US had exposed the pernicious practices of the insurance and financial companies of the West,” the CPI (M) said in a statement.

Shelf life

The Bills were introduced by the Minister of State for Finance, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal. The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2008 will have a longer shelf life, beyond the term of the current UPA Government that ends technically by April 2009, as it had been introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Defining health insurance

Besides providing for a hike in FDI cap to 49 per cent in insurance companies, the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill has sought to define “health insurance business” and provide for a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 50 crore for pure health insurance companies. The Bill also seeks to maintain FDI cap at 26 per cent for insurance cooperative societies.

On the re-insurance front, the Bill seeks to permit foreign re-insurers to open branches only for the re-insurance business in India. The proposed amendments would also facilitate the entry of Lloyd’s of London in the insurance business as a foreign company in joint venture with Indian partners, and also as a branch of foreign re-insurer.

Also, the existing restrictions on divestment by Indian promoters of insurance companies are proposed to be removed. Currently, Indian promoters are required to divest to 26 per cent or such other prescribed percentage in the manner and period prescribed by the Central Government.

Moreover, the Bill seeks to allow nationalised general insurance companies to raise money from the market with the permission of the Central Government for increasing their business in the rural and social sectors, to meet solvency margins and other purposes. The proposed amendments seek to provide obligatory underwriting of third-party risks of motor vehicles on the pattern of insurance in rural areas and social sectors.

Newer instruments

The Bill provides for insurance companies to raise “newer capital” through “newer instruments” on the pattern of banks. It would also pave the way for formulating regulations for payment of commission and control of management expenses.

Both Life Insurance Council and General Insurance Council are to be made self-regulating bodies.

The power of adjudication will be with Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) and appeal against the decisions of IRDA will rest with Securities Appellate Tribunal.

On penalties and fines, carrying on insurance business without registration could lead to a fine of up to Rs 25 crore and imprisonment of up to 10 years. A penalty “not exceeding Rs 25 crore” could be imposed if an insurer fails to comply with the obligations for rural or social sectors or third party insurance of motor vehicles. All penalties realised would be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Distinction will now be made between a beneficiary nominee and a collector nominee in life insurance policies. The responsibility of appointing insurance agents will rest with insurers and IRDA would regulate their eligibility, qualifications and other aspects.

Life insurance policies are proposed to be made “unchallengeable” on whatsoever ground after five years of issue of the policy. Also, there would be limiting of the grounds for challenge during the period within five years.

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