High inflation negatives prospects of growth: Subbarao

17 May 2011 Evaluate

World's most aggressive central bank may sacrifice Asia’s 3rd largest economy’s growth in order to manage inflation, the indication came after the reserve Bank of India hiked its policy rates by more than expected 50 basis points (bps) to tame the inflation menace, but still the WPI inflation for the month of April came more than anticipated 8.66%. “High inflation negatives prospects of growth”, said RBI governor Subbarao.

The main cause of the inflationary pressure is coming from the international commodity prices and these commodity prices have been subsequently been passed through into the entire range of domestic manufacturing goods indicating that fluctuation in international commodity prices make deep impact. In simple words, demand has been strong enough to allow major go through input price increases. Importantly, this is happing even as there are visible signs of moderating growth, particularly in capital goods production and investment spending, suggesting that cumulative monetary action are begging to have any impact on demand.

Commenting on the April headline inflation number as measured by the WPI declined to 8.66 % from 9.4% in March as the prices of food and manufactured products eased ,  Subbarao said, “Inflation numbers are still high and above comfort level. 'For more rapid growth, we need to manage the growth-inflation trade-off. Constant high inflation over past two of years highlights the dangers of negligence of inflation,' Subbarao added.

The food habits of rural poor are also changing dramatically, because of Demonstration Effect of the LPG (Liberalization- Privatization-Globalization). Few months ago, the inflation was due to much talked supply-side constraints and higher global commodity prices. Whereas, over the period of time, demand side pressures have also emerged, higher demand along with higher income is stoking inflation.  As a result of this combination of high income and high demand, producers have been passing on higher input prices to consumers in the form of higher output prices. 

Now the main challenge is for the Monetary and Fiscal policy to work together to manage demand.  We need to focus on the quantity and quality of the fiscal adjustment, the Governor said.

© 2025 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×