Planning commission describes RBI’s 50 bps rate hike as aggressive

27 Jul 2011 Evaluate

On relating to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to raise key rates by 50 basis points as aggressive, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said it would help in controlling inflation. The planning commission said, the (RBI) Governor has chosen a little more aggressive stance. By adding further he said, “I don't think this is improper. You do need to send signals and if situation improves, he can reverse the position later. It (the decision) is bound to be effective in controlling inflation.' 

The RBI on July 26, hiked its short term lending and borrowing rates by 50 basis points to 8% and 7% respectively. Since March 2010, the central bank has increased its policy rates for 11th time in row, to bring inflation back to its comfort zone; however, the aggressive monetary policy stance adopted by the RBI has been failing to control inflation.

Headline inflation measured by Wholesale Price Index (WPI) has been hovering around 9% for the first quarter of 2011-12, for June it stood at 9.44% whereas for month of April and May it was 9.74% and 9.06%. This elevated level of inflation pushed RBI to go for 50 basis points. M S Ahluwalia also pointed out that the move was unexpected and many people were expecting a hike of 25 basis points in key policy rates.

On high interest rates and economic expansion, Ahluwalia said that long-term growth is not affected by small variation in rates. "Some people will worry that impact on interest rates will be too high ... it is a matter of balance. If you really want to have good environment for growth you must bring inflation under control. Long-term growth is not affected by small variations in short-term interest rates," he added.

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