18 key takeaways from the RBI Monetary Policy

Mumbai, Aug 05: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday raised the benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points to 5.40 per cent to tame inflation, news agency PTI reported.

Following are the highlights of the RBI's fourth monetary policy review of fiscal year 2022-23 announced by Governor Shaktikanta Das:

• Key short-term lending rate (repo) raised by 50 basis points (bps) to 5.4 per cent; third consecutive hike
• In all, 140 bps hike in repo since May 2022 to check inflation
• GDP growth projection for 2022-23 retained at 7.2 per cent (pc).
• GDP growth projection: Q1 at 16.2 pc; Q2 at 6.2 pc; Q3 at 4.1 pc; and Q4 at 4 pc
• Real GDP growth for Q1:2023-24 projected at 6.7 per cent
• Domestic economic activity exhibiting signs of broadening
• Retail inflation projection too retained at 6.7 pc for 2022-23
• Inflation projection: Q2 at 7.1 pc; Q3 at 6.4 pc; and Q4 at 5.8 pc; Q1:2023-24 at 5 pc
• India witnessed large portfolio outflows of USD 13.3 billion in FY23 up to August 3
• Financial sector well capitalised and sound
• India's foreign exchange reserves provide insurance against global spillovers
• Monetary Policy Committee decides to remain focused on withdrawal of accommodative stance to check inflation
• Depreciation of rupee more on account of appreciation of US dollar rather than weakness in macroeconomic fundamentals of the Indian economy
• RBI to remain watchful and focused on maintaining stability of rupee
• Rupee depreciated by 4.7 pc against US dollar this fiscal year till August 4
• India's foreign exchange reserves remain fourth largest globally
• Mechanism to be activated to allow NRIs to use Bharat Bill Payment System for payments of utility and education on behalf of their families in India
• Next meeting of rate-setting panel scheduled for September 28-30, 2022.