RBI Relief Measures for Poultry Industry Amid Bird Flu (2008)
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2007-08/240 · issued 19 Feb 2008 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI allowed banks to convert overdue working capital and term loan dues of poultry units into term loans with up to 3-year repayment and 1-year moratorium, applicable to standard accounts as of Dec 31, 2007. Reschedulement must be completed by April 30, 2008.
The rule, in the simplest words
If a poultry farmer's loan payments are overdue because of bird flu, the bank can change those overdue amounts into a new loan that the farmer pays back over up to 3 years, with a 1-year break before payments start.
This help is only for farmers whose loan accounts were 'standard' (not already in trouble) as of December 31, 2007.
The bank must finish making these changes by April 30, 2008.
After the change, the farmer can ask for new loans for their business needs.
How it plays out — a real example
A credit & lending officer in Namakkal reviews the file of a poultry farmer whose working capital loan payments are overdue since January 2008 due to bird flu. The officer converts the overdue principal and interest into a new term loan with a 1-year moratorium and 3-year repayment, ensuring the account stays current and the farmer can apply for fresh funds to restart operations.
What changed
RBI issued guidelines for banks to provide relief to poultry units affected by avian influenza outbreaks. Overdue principal and interest on working capital and term loans could be converted into term loans with repayment up to three years and an initial moratorium of up to one year. The remaining term loan portions could also be rescheduled similarly. These measures applied only to accounts classified as standard as of December 31, 2007.
What it means for you
Banks can now restructure poultry loans without treating them as non-performing assets, as converted/rescheduled loans are considered current dues. This helps lenders manage credit risk in a distressed sector while supporting borrower viability. Fresh need-based finance can be extended after conversion, potentially increasing exposure but aiding recovery. Banks must complete the reschedulement by April 30, 2008, requiring swift operational action.
What you must do
Identify all poultry industry accounts classified as standard as of December 31, 2007, and assess their eligibility for relief.
Convert overdue principal and interest on working capital and term loans into term loans with repayment up to 3 years and a 1-year moratorium.
Reschedule remaining term loan portions with a similar moratorium based on cash flow projections.
Complete all reschedulement and conversion actions on or before April 30, 2008.
Treat rescheduled/converted loans as current dues and consider fresh need-based finance for eligible borrowers.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks financing poultry units, Poultry industry borrowers with standard accounts as of Dec 31, 2007, State/District Co-operative banks and RRBs (via NABARD circular)
❓ Common questions
Which accounts are eligible for these relief measures?
Only poultry industry accounts classified as standard assets as of December 31, 2007, are eligible. Overdue dues from the onset of bird flu (Dec 31, 2007) can be converted.
What is the repayment period for converted loans?
Converted loans can be repaid in installments over up to three years, with an initial moratorium of up to one year. The first repayment is due after the moratorium period.
Do these measures apply to cooperative banks and RRBs?
Yes, but NABARD will issue a separate circular on similar lines for State/District Co-operative banks and Regional Rural Banks.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2007-08/240
RPCD. PLFS. BC. No. 48 /05.04.02/ 2007-08
February 19, 2008
The Chairman/Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer
All Scheduled Commercial Banks
Dear Sir,
Guidelines for Relief Measures by Banks to Poultry Industry (2008)
As you are aware, there have been instances of outbreak of Avian Influenza (bird flu) in some areas of the country. Keeping in view the loss of income that has occurred due to culling of birds as well as steep fall in the demand for poultry products and their prices, banks may consider extending the following facilities to poultry units financed by them:
(i) Principal and interest due on working capital loans as also installments and interest on term loans which have fallen due for payment on/after the onset of bird flu, i.e. December 31, 2007 and remaining unpaid may be converted into term loans. The converted loans may be recovered in installments based on projected future inflows over a period up to three years with an initial moratorium of up to one year (the first year of repayment may be fixed after the expiry of moratorium period).
(ii) The remaining portion of term loans may be rescheduled similarly with a moratorium period up to one year depending upon the cash flow generating capacity of the unit.
(iii) The reschedulement/conversion may be completed on or before April 30, 2008.
(iv)The rescheduled/converted loans may be treated as current dues
(v) After conversion as above, the borrower will be eligible for fresh need based finance.
(vi) The relief measures as above may be extended to all accounts of poultry industry, which were classified as Standard accounts as on December 31, 2007.
2. For State/District Co-operative banks and RRBs, NABARD will issue circular on the similar lines
3. Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully,
(G. Srinivasan)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2007-08/240 · issued 19 Feb 2008. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Convert overdue principal and interest on working capital and term loans into term loans with repayment up to 3 years and a 1-year moratorium.
📜 Compliance
Identify all poultry industry accounts classified as standard as of December 31, 2007, and assess their eligibility for relief.
Reschedule remaining term loan portions with a similar moratorium based on cash flow projections.
Complete all reschedulement and conversion actions on or before April 30, 2008.
Treat rescheduled/converted loans as current dues and consider fresh need-based finance for eligible borrowers.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All Scheduled Commercial Banks financing poultry units, Poultry industry borrowers with standard accounts as of Dec 31, 2007, State/District Co-operative banks and RRBs (via NABARD circular)), your first concrete step on “RBI Relief Measures for Poultry Industry Amid Bird Flu (2008)” is: “Identify all poultry industry accounts classified as standard as of December 31, 2007, and assess their eligibility for relief.” (RBI issued this 19 Feb 2008).
Circular: RBI/2007-08/240 -- RBI Relief Measures for Poultry Industry Amid Bird Flu (2008)
Issued: 19 Feb 2008
Action required: Identify all poultry industry accounts classified as standard as of December 31, 2007, and assess their eligibility for relief.
Action required: Convert overdue principal and interest on working capital and term loans into term loans with repayment up to 3 years and a 1-year moratorium.
Action required: Reschedule remaining term loan portions with a similar moratorium based on cash flow projections.
Action required: Complete all reschedulement and conversion actions on or before April 30, 2008.
Action required: Treat rescheduled/converted loans as current dues and consider fresh need-based finance for eligible borrowers.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 05 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=4057&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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