S. Kapoor, Deputy Branch Manager; B. Mishra, Manager Sales-cum-Operations, ICICI BANK, East Delhi
“Theek hai, koi issue nahin hai (OK. There is no issue)” – Mishra on making black money white
The Cobrapost reporter walks into this East Delhi branch of ICICI Bank and stops by the desk of B. Mishra, Sales Operations Manager. Upon being told that it is a matter of a big investment for a long term, Mishra takes his visitor to a quieter cabin. The visitor spells out his purpose: A big amount has to be invested, in a safe instrument, for a long term, which helps make the money white. Mishra suggests GSIP. But the purpose is to make it white and the investment will be made in cash. Mishra says: “Theek hai, koi issue nahin hai (OK. There is no issue).”
Meanwhile, Deputy Branch Manager S. Kapoor joins in the discussion. He is told the objective of the exercise, and says: “Theek hai (All right).” Cash is acceptable, they both make it clear. All concerns about income tax and the safety of the invested money are laid to rest by Kapoor’s reassurances: “Aap keh rahe ho bada amount laga rahe ho aisa kuch nahin hai… dekho na ki kis utility kis purpose mein laga rahe ho. Insurance mein laga rahe ho, bank insurance provide kar raha hai bande ko… safe hai (You are saying you are putting in a big amount. There is nothing like that … see in which utility, for what purpose you are putting this in. You are putting it in insurance, and the bank is providing you the insurance … it is safe).” As for depositing the cash, Kapoor asks his subordinate Mishra to open an account for the client to deposit money and route it for insurance: “Account bhi khulwa le inka aur wahan se unka seedha amount deduct kar lena (Open an account for the client and deduct the amount directly from it).”
The minister’s wife often travels to England. Could we send some of the Rs. 5–7 crore to England. Yes, it is possible through remittance, says Kapoor. It is possible through an NRI account, says Mishra: “Wo to NRI … NRI account se (That would be through NRI account).”
After the meeting, our reporter engages in casual conversation with Kapoor. Prior to joining ICICI a year and a half ago, Kapoor was with Deutsche Bank. So which bank did he enjoy more? “Barhiya to firangi bank hota hai (The foreign banks are better).” And where do customers transact more in cash? “Cash ke to idhar hi zyada hote hain (Cash transactions are definitely more here).”
Mishra walks our reporter out. When told by the reporter of the need for utmost secrecy, Mishra says: “Bank ka funda hai, Sir (It’s bank’s funda, Sir). Has he handled such transactions in the past? Yes, he said: “Yahi …bees lakh pachees lakh (About Rs. 20 lakh, Rs. 25 lakh).
