Rate cut to depend upon evolving situation with regard to inflation: Das

26 Oct 2020 Evaluate

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has said that there is room for rate cut but monetary policy action would depend upon the evolving situation with regard to inflation which is currently above the tolerance level of the central bank. He said ‘I recognise that there exists space for future rate cuts if the inflation evolves in line with our expectations. This space needs to be used judiciously to support recovery in growth.’

Das has stated that the reconstituted Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which met from October 7 to 9, had decided to keep the benchmark lending rates unchanged to revive growth on a durable basis and mitigate the impact of coronavirus disease (covid-19) pandemic on the economy, while ensuring that inflation remains within the target going forward. He also said after the sharpest contraction in economic activity in the first quarter of 2020-21, a number of high frequency indicators of economic activity for the second quarter suggest a sequential improvement. However, he said that there are downside uncertainties that could put sand in the wheels of this nascent recovery. He added that primary among them is the risk of a second wave of covid-19 pandemic. 

RBI Governor further said private investment activity is likely to be subdued, even as domestic financial conditions have eased significantly. He also said external demand is also expected to remain anaemic with sharp contraction in global economic activity and trade. As per RBI, the full year gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to contract by 9.5 per cent with a strong rebound next year. On the outlook for inflation, he said food inflation should moderate going forward on a combination of good kharif harvest and a favourable rabi season.

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