ED Starts Probe Into Charges Against Paytm Payments Bank

Shares of Paytm saw a 9 per cent fall on Wednesday, intensifying concerns over the ongoing crisis faced by its parent firm, One97 Communications

On January 31, the RBI ordered Paytm Payments Bank to stop accepting deposits, credit transactions, or top-ups in customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, and NCMC cards after February 29.

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In another setback to Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started a preliminary investigation into the operations of Paytm, the fintech major's banking unit, Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL), as per sources. Shares of Paytm saw a 9 per cent fall on Wednesday, intensifying concerns over the ongoing crisis faced by its parent firm, One97 Communications. It was reported last week that the ED would investigate Paytm and the Payments Bank to check if the companies were involved in FEMA violations.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made it clear on Monday that there are no plans underway for a reassessment of actions taken against PPBL. The regulator emphasised that its decision regarding the fintech giant stemmed from a through evaluation of the company's operations.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das reiterated that there will be no reconsideration of the disciplinary measures imposed on PPBL, according to reports from PTI. Speaking at a press briefing following the 606th meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI, Das said, "I want to emphasize that there is currently no intention to revisit the decision regarding PPBL. If there are any expectations for a review, let me make it abundantly clear that there will be no such reconsideration."

Also to clear the air on Paytm and to address various concerns raised by customers of the troubled Paytm Payments Bank, the central bank is set to issue a comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) this week.

On January 31, the RBI ordered Paytm Payments Bank to stop accepting deposits, credit transactions, or top-ups in customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, and NCMC cards after February 29, excluding interest, cashbacks, or refunds. Additionally, the payments bank has been instructed to settle all pending transactions and nodal accounts by March 15. The move from the central bank came in response to "persistent non-compliances and continued material supervisory concerns" observed in Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPB), an affiliate of One97 Communications.