In order to ensure that Banks/ Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) run their credit card operations in a fair and regulated manner, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had issued Master Circular on Credit Card operations on 1^st July, 2010. These guidelines cover various issues concerning credit card operations like adoption of Fair Practice Code, interest rates and other charges on protection of customers against wrongful billing, liabilities and responsibilities of the banks etc..

In terms of RBI circular dated 9^th July, 2010, banks have been advised to strictly adhere to the guidelines contained in the Master Circular on credit card operations both in letter and sprit, failing which RBI shall be constrained to initiate suitable penal action, including levy of monetary penalties, under the relevant statutory provisions.

Service charges are decided by individual banks on their own, having regard to cost of rendering various services and as such there is no uniformity in the service charges for credit cards and issuance of demand drafts by different banks. Since the RBI has not fixed rates to be charged on their services and banks are free to determine interest rates and service charges, there is no violation of RBI guidelines/ directives by banks. Under the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006 as amended in February, 2009, Banking Ombudsman can award compensation upto Rs. 1.00 lakh in case of complaints arising out of credit card operations by banks, taking into account the loss of time, expenses incurred, harassment and mental anguish suffered by the complainant.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in a written reply to an Unstarred Question raised in Rajya Sabha today.

Consumer protection in credit card operations: enforceable guidelines allow regulatory penalties and ombudsman compensation for complainants. Institutions offering credit card services must adopt a Fair Practice Code and comply with the Reserve Bank's Master Circular on interest, service charges, billing dispute resolution, liabilities and customer protection. Banks and NBFCs may set rates and charges but remain subject to the Circular's supervisory framework; non-compliance can result in regulatory action including monetary penalties. Consumer redress is available under the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, which allows compensation for time loss, expenses, harassment and mental anguish arising from credit card complaints.