Rajan’s comments hints that the worth of the rupee in the wallet of the citizen is more significant than corporate prosperity or enhancing government treasures.
Growth and development can hang around, but attempts to curtail prices can’t as it is a prerequisite for all round success, this is the point made by the Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan. The one efficient means to certify that prices of goods and services do not keep mounting when production is not corresponding demand is to make money more costly. The prospect of more rate hikes is high.
A 25 basis points raise in the repo rate, the rate at which RBI lends to banks, to 7.75 percent, and his comments indicate that the worth of the rupee in the wallet of the citizen is more significant than corporate prosperity, or enhancing government treasures.
If anyone had any qualms on what his status is on growth-inflation, this policy gives the best and clear answer.
Reportedly, Rajan said in his policy review, “The policy stance and measures in this review are intended to curb mounting inflationary pressures and manage inflation expectations in a situation of weak growth. With the more recent upturn of inflation, and with inflation expectations remaining elevated anticipating the pass-through of exchange rate depreciation and ongoing adjustment in administered fuel prices, it is important to break the spiral of rising price pressures in order to curb the erosion of financial saving and strengthen the foundations of growth.”
This is a monetary policy that need not be assumed as one intended at enhancing the much special financial growth, or a mallet move towards controlling inflation. It is a move in the course of laying down the base for growth and development that could be constant for a long time if the government of the day rules.
He does not get the argument that the monsoon will assist in bringing down the food prices, thus the consumer prices. Knowing the pass-on consequences of high fuel prices and currency downgrading, it could simply go up. Keeping money inexpensive would merely wear away the currency worth than protecting it.
He added, “The pass-through of rupee depreciation into prices of manufactured products is acting, along with elevated food and fuel inflation, to offset possible disinflationary effects of low growth. While food price pressures may ease with the arrival of the kharif harvest and the usual seasonal moderation, overall WPI inflation is expected to remain higher than current levels through most of the remaining part of the year warranting an appropriate policy response.”
Rajan however does not straightforwardly mention the government’s capability on fiscal deficit control at 4.8 percent of the gross domestic product like his research department did on Monday; there are sufficient indications that all is not well.
Rajan says, “With many large entities holding back on payments, liquidity pressures are building up on small and medium enterprises. A number are facing conditions of financial distress. Remedies partly lie in the speed-up of government and public sector payments, and on measures to channel credit to small and medium enterprises.”
As Rajan himself had said, that there is no ‘magic wand’ to heal the problems of the economy and it is presently the start of a painful course of moving towards a steady upturn. The inexpensive money supplicants, although their number has fallen as Rajan took charge of the office, might not be satisfied with the stand. But they have to survive with this hawk.
On his first day as the BRI Governor, Rajan said “Any entrant to the central bank governorship probably starts at the height of their popularity. Some of the actions I take will not be popular. The governorship of the central bank is not meant to win one votes or Facebook likes. But I hope to do the right thing, no matter what the criticism, even while looking to learn from the criticism.”
There might be no leap in Facebook likes for Rajan or the RBI at the present, but possibly will achieve grip as his term moves forward.
