RBI KEEPS REPO RATE UNCHANGED
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5%.
The decision, taken at the MPC’s meeting, marks the eighth time in a row that the policy rate has been put on hold to keep the focus on battling high inflation.
WHEN WAS THE LAST REVIEW?
April, 2024.
FORECASTS WRT GROWTH RATE
The MPC has revised its GDP growth forecast upwards from the earlier 7% estimate to 7.2% for the financial year 2024-2025.
It has also decided to remain focused on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation does not accelerate, while supporting growth.
THE TARGET OF INFLATION:
First of all, the index which is considered for measuring inflation by RBI is Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The target range of inflation is 4 +/- 2%.
WHAT IS MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE?
- The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is a committee constituted by the Central Government and led by the Governor of RBI.
- Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was constituted as per Section 45ZB under the RBI Act of 1934 by the Central Government. The first meeting of MPC was conducted on 3rd October 2016 in Mumbai.
- Monetary Policy Committee was formed with the mission of fixing the benchmark policy interest rate (repo rate) to restrain inflation within the particular target level.
- The committee determines the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target.
- The MPC is required to meet at least four times in a year.
- The quorum for the meeting of the MPC is four members.
- Each member of the MPC has one vote, and in the event of an equality of votes, the Governor has a second or casting vote.
- Once every six months, the Reserve Bank is required to publish a document called the Monetary Policy Report to explain the sources of inflation and the forecasts of inflation for 6-18 months ahead.
COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE
- The committee comprises of six members (including the Chairman) – three officials of the RBI and three external members nominated by the Government of India.
- Governor of RBI acts as the Chairperson (ex-officio) of the committee.
- Members nominated by the Government hold office for a period of four years from the date of appointment.
- None of the Central Government nominees are eligible to be re-appointed.
- The committee meets quarterly i.e. every three months.
- Decisions are taken by majority vote with each member having a vote.
- In case of a tie, the Chairman has a casting vote.
WHAT IS SECTION 45 ZN?
This section says that in case the RBI fails to meet the inflation target, it has to present a report to the government explaining the reasons for the failure. In the report, the central bank will have to mention the remedial actions it proposes to take, and an estimated time within which the inflation target will be achieved following the timely implementation of the proposed remedial actions. The report is required to be sent to the government within one month from the date on which the RBI failed to meet the inflation target.
A DIVIDED MPC THIS TIME
Mr. Das, along with MPC members Shashanka Bhide, Rajiv Ranjan, and Michael Debabrata Patra voted to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5%, while their colleagues Ashima Goyal and Jayanth R. Varma voted to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points.
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