The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has noticed "excessive dominance" by one or two board members even in "big commercial banks" and asked lenders to correct this, its Governor Shaktikanta Das said.

Addressing directors of Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), Das said board discussions have to be free, fair and democratic.

"There should not be an over-dominance or excessive dominance by one or two members of the board, or the chairman or the vice-chairman. We have seen this even in big commercial banks… wherever we have seen this, we have told the bank that this is not the way," he said.

He said all directors need to be given a chance to speak and a particular director's say should not be the final one on a matter.

Das said directors in UCBs -- who are elected to the post -- need to have expertise in various aspects of banking, such as risk management, information technology, etc.

He urged directors to go through agenda notes, which are prepared in advance, and ask relevant questions.

While a managing director should have the freedom to act as per what she or he feels right, it is also important for directors to get their doubts clarified, Das added.