The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Mr. Shaktikanta Das has announced that the Policy Repo Rate will remain unchanged at 4% and that the Marginal Standing Facility and Bank Rate will remain at 4.25%.
The Reverse Repo Rate too will remain unchanged at 3.35%. He informed that Monetary Policy Committee was of the view that policy support from all sides is required to gain growth momentum and to nurture recovery after it takes root. “Hence policy rate has been left unchanged and accommodative stance has been decided to be continued as long as necessary to revive and sustain growth, while ensuring inflation remains within target” the Governor said while delivering RBI’s bi-monthly monetary policy statement through an online address.
Economy projected to grow at 9.5% in 2021-22
The Governor informed that according to RBI, Real GDP growth is projected to grow at 9.5% in 2021-22. Explaining the basis for this, he noted that unlike the first wave, impact on economic activity is expected to be relatively contained in the second wave, with restrictions on mobility being regionalised and nuanced.
While urban demand slowed in April and May 2021, vaccination process is expected to gather steam in coming months and should help to normalise economic activity. The rebound in global trade is expected to support India’s export sector. He observed that rural demand is expected to remain strong, due to forecast of a normal monsoon.
The Governor announced that the Consumer Price Index inflation is projected at 5.1% in 2021-22.
Additional Measures
The Governor also announced a set of additional measures with the objective of reviving the economy and to mitigate the adverse impact of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under this scheme, Banks can give fresh lending support to hotels, restaurants, travel agents, tour operators, aviation ancillary services and other services including private bus operators, rent-a-car service providers, event organizers, spa clinics, beauty parlours and saloons.
Further, all issuers of CDs will be permitted to buy back their CDs before maturity, subject to certain conditions. This will facilitate greater flexibility in liquidity management.
The Governor also took note of the following observations made by the Monetary Policy Committee:
9.5% in 2021-22
18.5% in Q1
7.9% in Q2
7.2% in Q3
6.6% in Q4
5.1% in 2021-22
5.2% in Q1
5.4% in Q2
4.7% in Q3
5.3% in Q4
In his closing statement, the RBI Governor said that growth impulses are still alive and the RBI’s measures announced today are expected to reclaim the growth trajectory.
“India’s position as Vaccine capital of the world with leadership in production of pharma products can change the COVID-19 narrative,” he pointed out.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.