Economic Activity Clearly Losing Traction: RBI Guv Shaktikanta Das

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

(Photo: PTI)

“The Indian economy has been clearly losing traction and needs a decisive monetary policy to promote growth,” said Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das while voting for a 25 basis points (bps) rate cut along with other five members at the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meet in Mumbai from 3-6 June.

The MPC released the minutes of the meeting on Thursday, 20 June.

As per the minutes of MPC meet, Das said that since the last meeting of the rate-setting panel in April 2019, greater clarity has emerged about the evolving macroeconomic situation.

“Overall, there is clear evidence of economic activity losing traction with the GDP growth in the fourth quarter of the last financial year slowing to 5.8 percent,” he said.

"In sum, growth impulses have clearly weakened, while the headline inflation trajectory is projected to remain below 4.0 percent throughout 2019-20 even after considering the expected transmission of the past two policy rate cuts.

Repo Rate Cut by 25 BPS to Boost Monetary Policy Action

For the third time in a row, RBI had cut the key lending rate (repo) by 25 bps on 5 June.

RBI governor had said, "Keeping in view the evolving growth inflation dynamics, there is a need for decisive monetary policy action. Hence, my vote is to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points," he said.

He also favoured shifting the stance of monetary policy from neutral to accommodative to send a clear signal, indicating that more measures could be taken in the near future to boost growth.

Acharya Flags Monsoon Deficiency, Volatile Crude Oil Prices

MPC member and RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya said that the mixed picture on economic growth has morphed into one where at least some aspects have weakened considerably over the past two quarters.

He also flagged some upside risks, including deficiency in monsoon and volatility in crude oil prices, to inflation.

"In spite of my dilemma, I vote albeit with some hesitation to front load the policy rate cut from 6 per cent to 5.75 percent," said Acharya.

Another member and Executive Director Michael Debabrata Patra, said that the risks to the primary target of monetary policy are distinctly on the ebb.

He also said that Inflation expectations better anchored than before.

“In fact, if one were to step back a little in time, it is evident that if the 2019-20 projections materialise, the MPC would have steered inflation at or below target on average for four years in a row in its five-year term of office,” said Executive Director, Michael Patra.

Other three members of the MPC – Ravindra H Dholakia, Pami Dua, and Chetan Ghate — also voted in favour of reducing the key lending rate.

Interest Rates on Small Savings Higher: Das

Das also said that quite a sizable part of loan portfolio of banks continues at the base rate, which impedes monetary transmission.

“Interest rates on small savings are also higher than the prescribed formula,” he said.

The transmission of the cumulative reduction of 50 basis points in the policy repo rate in February and April 2019 to fresh rupee loans has been 21 basis points.

However, the weighted average lending rate on outstanding loans has increased by 4 basis points.

"Going forward, the transmission is expected to improve, given the lags with which banks adjust their deposit and lending rates in response to changes in the policy rate," said the RBI governor.