Monetary policy should be focused on containing inflation: RBI

17 Oct 2012 Evaluate

Pouring cold water on hopes of rate cut, Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) deputy governor Subir Gokarn has said that monetary policy should be focused on containing inflation as lower prices can support sustained growth in the long term. 

Further, the comments from the deputy governor assumes significance as it came a day after country’s headline inflation rate rose to 7.8 per cent in September, the highest this year and a fortnight ahead of the second quarter monetary policy announcement on October 30. On the flip side, Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Anand Sinha said the scope of monetary policy has expanded beyond inflation targeting to factors like checking financial imbalances.

However, Deputy governor, Subir Gokarn on the sidelines of banking meet organised by the Financial Times and Yes Bank, pointed that the monetary policy should alone not be responsible for curbing inflation and it needs to be complemented by the fiscal policy and supply side factors.

The center bank’s anti-inflationary stance has drawn increased criticism in light of government rush for reforms. However, this time around also most market participants expect the central bank to leave rates unchanged at its policy review on October 30, due to concerns over inflation and the fiscal deficit. 

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