Demonetisation will transform Indian economy: Urjit Patel

Narendra Modi had announced that the last day to deposit the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes is Dec 31.

Mumbai, Dec 30: On the eve of the deadline for citizens to deposit demonetised currency in banks, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel said that demonetisation will have a transformative effect on the economy going forward, despite some short-term disruptions and "public hardship".

"The withdrawal of specified bank notes will impart far reaching changes going forward. It is expected to significantly transform the domestic economy," Patel said on Thursday in his foreword to the half-yearly Financial Stability Report.

He said the increasing adoption of digital modes of payments will lead to greater intermediation, efficiency gains, accountability and transparency. Patel acknowledged there have been short-term disruptions and hardship to the public because of the demonetisation of high value currency.

On the domestic macroeconomic front, condition remain "stable" with a cool-down in inflation, the RBI Governor said, adding that the growth momentum has "slackened" recently.

IANS