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The risk of global shocks remains! Colin Shah   In a Monetary Policy Statement, 2023-24 Resolution of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), on the basis of an assessment of the current and evolving macroeconomic situation, the MPC at its meeting decided to keep the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 6.50 per cent. The standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains unchanged at 6.25 per cent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 6.75 per cent. The MPC also decided to remain focused on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation progressively aligns with the target, while supporting growth.  These decisions are in consonance with the objective of achieving the medium-term target for consumer price index (CPI) inflation of 4 per cent within a band of +/- 2 per cent, while supporting growth.    On the RBI policy perspective, Colin Shah, MD, Kama Jewelry expressed that, “the RBI's decision to hold rates is a p

MSF rate and the Bank Rate to 4.65 per cent . RBI said, as the war draws on and sanctions and retaliatory actions intensify, shortages, volatility in commodity and financial markets, supply dislocations and, most alarmingly, persistent and spreading inflationary pressures are becoming more acute with every passing day. Debt distress is rising in the developing world amidst capital outflows and currency depreciations. Recent GDP releases suggest that the global economic recovery is losing pace.   By announcing the Decisions and Deliberations of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, “against this backdrop, the Monetary Policy Committee decided to hold an off-cycle meeting on 2nd and 4th May, 2022 to reassess the evolving inflation-growth dynamics and the impact of the developments after the MPC meeting of April 6-8, 2022.” Based on this assessment of the macroeconomic situation and the outlook, the MPC voted unanimously to increase the policy repo ra

Issues guidelines on Restructuring of advances Permits a one-time restructuring Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) form an important component of the Indian economy and contribute significantly to the country’s GDP, exports, industrial output, employment generation, etc. Considering the importance of MSMEs in the Indian economy, it is considered necessary at this juncture to take certain measures for creating an enabling environment for the sector.   The issue of restructuring of MSME accounts was discussed in the meeting of the Central Board of RBI on November 19, 2018. The matter was also discussed during RBI’s recent interactions with the banks and other stakeholders. The above issue has been examined in RBI and a view has been taken to facilitate meaningful restructuring of MSME accounts that have become stressed. RBI has decided to permit a one-time restructuring of existing loans to MSMEs that are in default but ‘standard’ as on January 1, 2019, w

RBI should consider Restructuring of MSME borrowers The autonomy for the Central Bank, within the framework of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, is an essential and accepted governance requirement.   The autonomy for the Central Bank, within the framework of the RBI Act, is an essential and accepted governance requirement. Governments in India have nurtured and respected this. Both the Government and the Central Bank, in their functioning, have to be guided by public interest and the requirements of the Indian economy.   For the purpose, extensive consultation son several issues take place between the Government and the RBI from time to time. This is equally true of all other regulators. Government of India has never made public the subject matter of those consultations. Only the final decisions taken are communicated. The Government, through these consultations, places its assessment on issues and suggests possible solutions. The Government will continue to do s

New Governor will  act as an effective bridge Welcoming the appointment of Mr Shaktikanta Das as the new RBI Governor, Mr Ganesh Gupta, President, FIEO said that his previous exposure as Revenue and Economic Affairs Secretary would come very handy in dealing with vexatious economic issues confronting the country. Mr Gupta said that the new Governor will act as an effective bridge between the Government and the Central Bank so as to give necessary boost to the Indian economy. Mr Das would be able to address the concern of the states having worked in the Finance Commission. FIEO Chief hoped that the new Governor will ensure flow of credit to exports sector, which is declining sharply on year-on-year basis affecting the liquidity of exporters particularly the MSMEs. While exchange rate is market driven, Mr Gupta propagated for RBI intervention to stem extreme volatility in Rupee as it is neither beneficial for exporters nor importers. A movement of Rupee in nar

Challenges yet to inflation and inflationary outlook Dr. Sunil Sinha, Principal Economist, India Ratings and Research (Fitch Group) expressed view on  RBI's Fifth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2018-19 says, as expected RBI kept the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 6.5%. Although RBI has lowered its CPI inflation projection to 2.7%-3.2% in H2:2018-19 and 3.8%-4.2% in H1:2019-20 as against its earlier projection of 3.9%-4.5% in H2:2018-19 and 4.8% in Q1:2019-20, it still believes that there are challenges to inflation and inflationary outlook.   These could emanate from (i) volatility and sudden spike in prices of perishable food items, (ii) risk from revision in minimum support prices (MSPs) which has yet not played out fully, (iii) crude oil prices due to geo-political tensions/decision of OPEC to cut production, (iv) volatility in global financial market, (v) fiscal slippages and (vi) staggered impact of HRA rev

India to grow at 7.4% in 2018-19 LAF unchanged at 6.5 per cent Finance Ministry Statement on Fifth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2018-19 Resolution of the Monetary Policy Committee, Reserve Bank of India issued, on the basis of its assessment of the current and evolving macroeconomic situation, decided to keep the Policy Repo Rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) unchanged at 6.5 per cent. The MPC has, however, retained its stance of ‘calibrated tightening’.     The GDP growth projection for 2018-19 is retained at 7.4 per cent as in the Fourth Bi-monthly Resolution in October, 2018.  The projections of inflation for 2018-19 and Q1:2019-20 have been substantially revised downwards from the October resolution. The Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Shri Subhash Chandra Garg in a Statement said that the assessment of the MPC for growth and inflation outlook is consistent with the Government’s assessment of inflation and growth.  Shri Ga

The study into 13 sectors comprising of Gems and Jewellery... Sharing the details Dr. T.M. Bhasin, Vigilance Commissioner, CVC informed that the Commission has sub divided the study into 13 sectors comprising of Gems and Jewellery, Manufacturing, Agro sector, Media, Aviation, Service Sector, Discounting of cheques and bills, Trading sector, IT Sector, Exports sector, Fixed deposits and Demand Loan etc.   Dr. Bhasin said that as a conscious decision and with a view to maintaining discreteness, the names of borrower accounts/entities and the names of the Banks have not been disclosed in the report. However, steps are being taken for all encompassing actions such as investigation by the Premier investigative agencies, fixing staff accountability and recovery measures, etc. for effective action. Dr. Bhasin said that the modus operandi of these loans has been thoroughly analysed and various loopholes /lapses have been identified. Based on the findings, various industry spe

RBI is pumping Rs 360 billion in October  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had telegraphed in its previous post-monetary policy press conferences that the system liquidity will move into deficit in the second half of the fiscal year and that the evolving liquidity conditions shall determine its choice of instruments for both transient and durable liquidity management. Based on an assessment of the durable liquidity needs going forward and the seasonal growth in currency in circulation observed in build-up to the festive season, RBI has decided to conduct purchase of Government securities under Open Market Operations (OMOs) for an aggregate amount of Rs 360 billion in the month of October 2018.The auctions would be conducted during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week of October. The auction dates and the Government securities to be purchased in respective auctions would be communicated in due course. The OMO amount stated above is indicative and RBI retains the flexibility to c

Liquidity Risk Monitoring Tools and Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR), Disclosure Standards! Presently, the assets allowed as the Level 1 High Quality Liquid Assets (HQLAs) for the purpose of computing the LCR of banks, inter alia, include (a) Government securities in excess of the minimum SLR requirement and, (b) within the mandatory SLR requirement, (i) Government securities to the extent allowed by RBI under Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) [presently 2 per cent of the bank's NDTL] and (ii) under Facility to Avail Liquidity for Liquidity Coverage Ratio (FALLCR) [presently 11 per cent of the bank's NDTL]. It has been decided to permit banks with effect from October 1, 2018, to reckon Government securities held by them up to another 2 per cent of their NDTL, under FALLCR within the mandatory SLR requirement, as Level 1 HQLA for the purpose of computing their LCR.  Hence, the carve-out from SLR, under FALLCR will now be 13 per cent, taking the total carve out