The RBI’s rate setting panel on Tuesday started its 3-day deliberations for the first bi-monthly monetary policy of 2019-20 amid expectations of a cut in key lending rate by another 25 basis points to boost economic activities.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points in February, after a gap of 18 months. A back-to-back cut in interest rate would provide relief to borrowers in the election season.

The six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das will announce the resolution of the meeting at around noon on Thursday.

It would be the first bi-monthly monetary policy of 2019-20. Das has already held meetings with stakeholders including industry bodies, depositors association, MSME representatives and bankers.

Industry and experts are expecting the banking sector regulator to cut the key lending rate — at which it lends to commercial banks — by 0.25 per cent so as to boost the economic activities as fears loom large about global economic slowdown impacting India’s growth prospects.

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. Director General of CII Chandrajit Banerjee said the inflation trajectory has remained benign which further warrants a reduction in interest rates.

Published On : 03-04-2019

Source : Daily Pioneer