For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts
Oneindia App Download

RBI cuts repo rate by 25 basis points; loan EMIs likely to fall

|
Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Apr 04: The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee on Thursday announced a reduction in repo rate by 25 basis points or 0.25 per cent to 6 per cent, in an attempt to propel economy ahead of the general elections.

This is the second consecutive rate cut from RBI under new chief Shaktikanta Das, after a surprise rate cut in February.

RBI monetary policy today: What to expect?

41 of 43 economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected the RBI to cut repo rate by 25 bps, amid weakening economic growth and subdued inflation outlook.

MPC voted 4:2 in favour of the rate cut. Pami Dua, Ravindra Dholakia, Michael Debabrata Patra and Shaktikanta Das voted in favour of the decision to reduce the policy repo rate. Chetan Ghate and Viral Acharya voted to keep the policy rate unchanged.

The central bank, however, kept monetary policy stance 'Neutral' over uncertainty over monsoon. It also lowered GDP growth forecast for the 2018-19 to 7.2 per cent from 7.4 per cent predicted in February policy.

In the second policy review under Governor Shaktikanta Das, the six-member Monetary Policy Committee voted 4:2 in favour of the rate cut.

The benchmark interest rate was cut by 0.25 per cent to 6 per cent, a move which will result in lower cost of borrowing for banks that are expected to transmit the same to individuals and corporates.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on February 7 had last cut interest rate to 6.25 per cent from 6.5 per cent. Last time repo rate stood at 6 per cent was in April 2018.

The rate cut is in consonance of achieving the medium term objective of maintaining inflation at the 4 per cent level while supporting growth, the RBI said in its first bi-monthly monetary policy statement for 2019-20.

"The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) notes that the output gap remains negative and the domestic economy is facing headwinds, especially on the global front. The need is to strengthen domestic growth impulses by spurring private investment which has remained sluggish," it noted.

In the monetary policy report the RBI said going forward, alternative farm support schemes and farm loan waivers announced by some state governments, higher minimum support prices and food procurement, and lower direct tax collections could put upward pressure on the combined fiscal deficit.

It also said that headline CPI inflation is expected to move up from its recent lows as the favourable base effects dissipate but is expected to remain below the target of 4 per cent.

Talking about upside risk to inflation trajectory, it said, higher crude oil prices, volatility in international financial markets, the risk of a sudden reversal in the prices of perishable food items, and fiscal slippages are some of the challenges.

RBI turns down IDBI Bank's proposal to change nameRBI turns down IDBI Bank's proposal to change name

According to industry estimates, inflation is well below the RBI's mandate of 4 per cent and hence it should cut the repo rate (rate at which RBI lends to banks) to boost economic growth.

A back-to-back cut in interest rate would provide relief to borrowers in the election season, experts say.

According to ratings firm ICRA, the RBI could go for a 25 bps rate cut in the upcoming meeting of monetary policy committee.

No data on demonetised 500, 1,000 notes used at petrol pumps: RBINo data on demonetised 500, 1,000 notes used at petrol pumps: RBI

China, which is one of the India's largest trading partner, recently lowered its economic growth target amid slowing global economy and a effects of trade war with the US.

OneIndia News (with PTI inputs)

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X