Get App
Download App Scanner
Scan to Download
Advertisement
This Article is From Jun 07, 2017

India Inc Disappointed As RBI Keeps Rates Unchanged

Industry chamber Assocham said the Reserve Bank (RBI) has "disappointed India Inc" by not reducing the policy interest rates, specially when inflation remains quite benign.

India Inc Disappointed As RBI Keeps Rates Unchanged
New Delhi: As the RBI left lending rates unchanged, India Inc on Wednesday expressed disappointment saying the central bank has chosen to remain over-cautious about the inflation outlook.

Industry chamber Assocham said the Reserve Bank (RBI) has "disappointed India Inc" by not reducing the policy interest rates, specially when inflation remains quite benign.

"It is clear that the RBI has chosen to remain over-cautious about the inflation outlook even when the key data like crude oil, monsoon, inability of the producers to hike prices made a clear-cut case for softening of the interest rates," it said in a statement.

It also said that a large part of the industry is reeling under a heavy debt and the high interest costs are becoming a big drag on the balance sheets.

"The deceleration in the growth in the last quarter of 2016-17 also underscores the need for lesser cost of money," it said.

"...you cannot find fault with the RBI when its main mandate has been to keep inflation low, and not growth dynamics. However, even at this point of time, the data itself was so supportive of a rate cut, which did not happen pitifully," it added.

The Reserve Bank on Wednesday left lending rates unchanged citing risks to inflation due to spurt in farm loan waivers by states, but raised lending capacity of banks to support economic growth.

Commenting on the monetary policy, PHDCCI President Gopal Jiwarajka said that a rate cut was expected from the RBI as inflation is in the comfortable zone and supply side is expected to improve with a good monsoon on the cards.

The growth in industry output needs to be accelerated to the level of 9-10 per cent with vital measures for the employment generation in the economy, he said.

"Going ahead, we expect repo rate to the level of 5.75 per cent by the end of December and adequate availability of credit to the industry especially to the MSMEs sector," he added.

Surendra Hiranandani, Chairman & MD, House of Hiranandani said that a reduction in borrowing cost could have provided the much needed impetus for growth in the near term.

Industry chamber Ficci said a cut in the lending rates was much needed given the fact that domestic private investments have been weak persistently.

"Also, the GDP numbers released last week clearly reflect the effect of demonetisation panning out in the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. At this juncture, the central bank signalling a move towards an accommodating stance would have helped uplift the sentiment," it said.

Mahindra Group CFO V S Parthasarathy in a lighter note said: "The mystery of why Katappa killed Bahubali stands resolved, the next mystery is 'When will the MPC (monetary policy committee) cut rates!' Releasing 2nd August 2017."

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.

Newsletters

Update Email
to get newsletters straight to your inbox
⚠️ Add your Email ID to receive Newsletters
Note: You will be signed up automatically after adding email

News for You

Set as Trusted Source
on Google Search
Add NDTV Profit As Google Preferred Source