RBI likely to revamp inflation-indexed bonds to attract high investments

13 Jun 2014 Evaluate

In order to make Inflation-linked bonds more attractive for retail investors, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to revamp the structure of inflation-indexed bonds (IIBs). The RBI’s Deputy Governor H R Khan has stated that the central bank has circulated a proposal to government containing measure on how to revamp IIBs structure to attract maximum investments.

The RBI’s Deputy Governor asserted that as retail investors want regular payouts from their investments in IIBs, the proposed features will help to provide regular income and higher tax-adjusted returns to investors. The central bank also proposed to offer a quarterly interest payout on inflation-indexed bonds as against the present interest payment on maturity.

In spite of the RBI’s various measure to enhance investments in IIB’s, recently launched Inflation Indexed National Savings Securities-Cumulative (IINSS-C) has failed to attract retail investors. The factors like lack of awareness among investors, the option of only cumulative interest payment (interest is cumulated and paid on maturity-10th year), absence of tax benefits than other competing investment avenues and recent fall in retail inflation can be attributed to the poor response. 

However, to attract maximum investments, the RBI has already doubled the maximum limit for investment in inflation-indexed bonds to Rs 10 lakh per annum for individuals. Further, the investment limit for institutions like Hindu undivided family (HUF), Charitable Trusts, Education Endowments and similar institutions was increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per annum.

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