The document discusses banking sector reforms in India prior to 1991. It notes that prior to reforms, the banking sector was characterized by administered interest rates, quantitative restrictions on lending, high reserve requirements, and stringent regulations. The first Narasimham Committee was set up in 1991 to recommend measures to strengthen the banking system. The first phase of reforms included reducing statutory liquidity and cash reserve ratios, deregulating interest rates, setting up debt recovery tribunals, and introducing prudential norms on income recognition and asset classification. Non-performing assets were identified as a key issue, with guidelines provided on classifying assets as standard, sub-standard, doubtful or loss.