RBI-Govt Relationship Is Like “Husband-Wife”: Ex-PM Manmohan Singh

“One has to respect the autonomy and the independence of the RBI. There will be hiccups but has to be harmonised.”

(Photo: The Quint)

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh compared the relationship of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government and said that the two are like “husband and wife.”

“One has to respect the autonomy and the independence of the RBI. At the same time, I would say that the relationship between the government and the RBI is like husband and wife. There will be hiccups and differences, but they have to be harmonised,” Singh added.

Singh was speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the launch of his book, Changing India, which chronicles his life as an economist, a policy maker and his tenure as the prime minister.

His comments come after RBI Governor Urjit Patel stepped down from his post following reports of power tussle between the government and the RBI.

Singh also wished “well” to the newly appointed RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and said that the person should succeed for “India’s sake.”