Forex reserves rise by USD 1.736 bn to record USD 162.413 bn

Mumbai, May 12 (UNI) The foreign exchange reserves went up by Rs 6,400 crore or US dollar 1.736 billon to record USD 162.413 billion for the week ended on May 5, 2006 as per the weekly statistical supplement released by the Reserve Bank of India(RBI).

Continuing foreign fund inflow in the equity markets and a stronger rupee helped the rise in the forex reserves to new all time high.

The foreign currency assets went up by USD 1.731 billion to USD 155.329 billion.

Gold reserves remained unchanged at USD 6.301 billion and Special Drawing Rights(SDRs) were also unchanged at USD 6 million.

Reserve position in the IMF went up by USD five million to USD 777 million.

Loans and advances of the Central Government remained nil as on April 28, 2006 and that of state government was Rs 974 crore.

Aggregate deposits of the scheduled commercial banks as on April 28, 2006 went up by 23,845 crore to Rs 21,36,945 crore.

Bank credit was down by Rs 5,150 crore to Rs 14,87,171 crore.

Food credit was up by Rs 4,275 crore to Rs 37,258 crore and the non-food credit was down by Rs 9,425 crore to Rs 14,49,913 crore.

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