RBI keeps key policy rates unchanged

Why is it in news?
  • The central bank kept the repo rate unchanged at 4 per cent and the reverse repo rate at 3.35 per cent.
Concept:
  • Repo rate is the rate at which banks borrow from the RBI
  • Reverse repo rate is the rate at which banks deposit excess funds with the RBI and earn interest on it.
Background:
  • India’s GDP is set to contract in 2020-21.
  • There was a supply chain disruptions across sectors along with a sticky surge in food prices.
  • Consumer confidence turned more pessimistic in July than previous.
Details:
  • RBI kept key policy rates unchanged in the face of rising inflation pressures.
  • The central bank didn’t extend the moratorium on loan repayments offered to borrowers beyond August 31.
Inflation to stay elevated:
  • Retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index, rose to 6.09 per cent in June from 5.84 per cent in March.
  • It breached the central bank’s medium-term target of 4 per cent, with a band of plus or minus two per cent.
  • According to RBI's projection, inflation will continue to stay elevated.


Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 7th Aug 2020