Do it yourself

The State Minister for Finance, recently informed Lok Sabha that the government had stopped printing of the currency notes of Rs2000 denomination in 2019 itself. This step has been taken to prevent hoarding of currency and curb the circulation of black money in the economy. It is pertinent to note in this context that Rs2000 denomination notes were introduced in 2016 post cancellation of the then prevalent currency notes of Rs1000 and Rs500 denomination. That step, in the first place, was also apparently taken to curb the circulation of black money in the economy. Besides, the color of money {white, black, pink (Rs2000), green (INRUSD) etc.} which remains an active topic of discussions, the temperature of money is also becoming a topic of interest. Rise in the stock and flow of “hot money” is becoming a worry for authorities. “Hot money” could be loosely defined as the liquid money that flows very fast across asset class and jurisdictions in search of short term trading opportunities...

The first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of RBI met for the last time during 4 to 6 August 2020. To commemorate the end its four year term, the Committee thankfully did not take any populist decision. It prudently kept the policy rates unchanged, as I had wished for (see To cut or not to cut is not the question ), and focused on mitigation of stress caused by the economic lockdown due to spread of COVID-19. In line with the stand taken by the government, the MPC refrained from issuing growth and inflation estimates. However, the governor's statement makes the following things clear: (a)    Inflation, especially food & energy inflation, is a matter of serious concern at present and development on this front need to be watched carefully; though the governor expressed hope that as the monsoon progressed well and base effect comes into play, the food inflation will ease in 2HFY21 leading the headline inflation below the MPC target range. It is pertinent to note that for...

The three day periodic review meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of RBI started yesterday. The Committee may review the monetary policy of RBI, in light of (i) the prevalent macroeconomic conditions-   especially inflation, fiscal balance, growth outlook; (ii) working of the financial system, e.g., liquidity situation, financial stress, credit off take, etc.; (iii) the global economic developments; and (iv) the assessment of economic shock in the aftermath of the pandemic. The market participants are mostly focused on the monetary stimulus, which the MPC may propose, especially cut in the policy repo rate. Besides, the market will be watching out for the RBI stance on further extension of the debt moratorium; targeted credit for weaker sections; relaxation to the bank and non bank lenders from provisioning norms; inflation outlook and growth outlook. In my view— 1.     Any cut in policy repo rate at this stage will be most...