Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today called for evolving a fresh thinking on RBI's monetary policy in a globalised economy and dealing with the constraints of its macro-economic policies.
"The time has come to look at the possibilities and limitations of the monetary policy in a globalised economy and dealing with the constraints of the macro-economic problems. That is where a fresh thinking is called for," he said.
"I think Raghuram Rajan (Governor designate) will evolve a policy with the help of professional persons for a national consensus if we have to carry on with implementing social and economic changes in a complex economy", Dr. Singh said.
The remarks assume significance in the context of the raging debate over RBI's hawkish policy stance on checking inflation vis a vis government priority on growth.
Dr. Singh was speaking after releasing "RBI History - Looking Back and Looking Ahead", the fourth volume of 78-year-old central bank's history, at a function at his Race Course residence.
The subject also came up in the speech of outgoing RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao, who in his welcome address, said the debate on growth-inflation balance has been clouded by some "oversimplifications".
Dr. Singh expressed the hope that Governor-designate Raghuram Rajan, who was also present at the function, will build on his predecessor's work to chart a new course of action in the very difficult period of economy now.
"Rajan is a distinguished economist of world repute and I wish him all the best in RBI under his leadership," he said.
The Prime Minister said the RBI has done the country proud in shaping the monetary and credit policies and also influencing the line of credit in rural areas.
"RBI has served the country with distinction. But I would say the best is yet to come," he added.
Dr. Singh also complimented D. Subbarao saying he had served the country and RBI well on growth-inflation balance.
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