RBI Holds Rate Steady: Here's the full text of Governor Shaktikanta Das's speech

As 2023 comes to an end and a new year begins, the long-awaited normality
still eludes the global economy. The years 2020 to 2023 will perhaps go down in history as the period of ‘Great Volatility’, comprising a host of black swan events in quick succession. The global economy is showing signs of slowdown, though unevenly across geographies and sectors. The Emerging Market Economies (EMEs) as a group have remained resilient during the current bout of volatility, unlike previous episodes.
While headline inflation has receded from the highs of last year, it remains above target in many countries. Core inflation continues to be sticky, impeding the last mile of disinflation. Major central banks have kept rates on hold while refraining from forward guidance in view of the prevailing uncertainties. Financial markets remain volatile in their quest for definitive signals about the future path of interest rates.

2. Against this unsettled global economic backdrop, the Indian economy presents a picture of resilience and momentum. The real gross domestic product (GDP) growth for Q2 of the current financial year has exceeded all forecasts. The fundamentals of the Indian economy remain strong with banks and corporates showing healthier balance sheets; fiscal consolidation on course; external balance remaining eminently manageable; and forex reserves providing cushion against external shocks. These factors, combined with consumer and business optimism, create congenial conditions for sustained growth of the Indian economy. Looking ahead, it is our endeavour to further build on these fundamentals which are the best buffer against global shocks in today’s uncertain world.

Decisions and Deliberations of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

3. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 6th, 7th and 8th December
2023. After a detailed assessment of the evolving macroeconomic and financial developments and the outlook, it decided unanimously to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.50 percent. Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains at 6.25 percent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 6.75 percent. The MPC also decided by a majority of 5 out of 6 members to remain focused on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation progressively
aligns to the target, while supporting growth.

4. I shall now briefly set out the rationale for these decisions. Since the last policy, CPI headline inflation moderated to 4.9  percent in October from 7.4  percent in July. The moderation was observed in all components of CPI – food, fuel and core (CPI excluding food and fuel). There has been broad-based easing in core inflation which is indicative of successful disinflation through monetary policy actions. The near-term outlook, however, is masked by risks to food inflation which might lead to an inflation
uptick in November and December. This needs to be watched for second round effects, if any. Domestic economic activity is holding up well as assessed in the previous MPC meetings and as reflected in the Q2: 2023-24 GDP growth.

5. Against this backdrop, the MPC decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.50  percent, but remain highly alert and prepared to undertake appropriate policy actions, as warranted. Monetary policy must continue to be actively disinflationary to ensure fuller transmission and anchoring of inflation expectations. The rate action so far is still working its way into the economy. Hence, the MPC decided to remain focused on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation progressively aligns to the target, while supporting growth.

Assessment of Growth and Inflation Global Growth

6. The global economy continues to remain fragile. World trade is decelerating amidst global tide of protectionism. Despite significant restoration of global supply chains, factors like elevated debt levels, lingering geopolitical hostilities and extreme weather conditions aggravate the risks to global growth and inflation outlook. Easing of inflation in advanced economies has led to expectations of an early end to the
monetary tightening cycle, shoring up market sentiments. Sovereign bond yields are softening as markets are not factoring in any further rate hikes.
Domestic Growth

7. Economic activity exhibited buoyancy in Q2 aided by strong domestic demand. GDP posted a robust growth of 7.6  percent in Q2:2023-24, driven by investment and government consumption.

8. Turning to Q3, two-third of rabi sowing has been completed despite late harvest of kharif crops in some states. Manufacturing sector gained strength with easing input cost pressures and pick up in demand conditions.

Eight core industries recorded healthy growth in October and continued their high growth since June this year. The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for manufacturing rose in November. The services sector buoyancy has remained intact as reflected in high-frequency indicators.
GST collections at Rs 1.68 lakh crore in November 2023 were buoyant. Services PMI displayed healthy expansion in November.

9. On the demand side, households’ consumption is supported by durable urban demand and gradual turnaround in rural demand as reflected in sales of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and other indicators. Festival related demand is also spurring households’ discretionary consumption in Q3. Investment activity continues to be aided by buoyancy in public sector capex. This is also reflected in the strong growth in steel consumption, cement production and imports of capital goods. Capacity utilisation (CU) in the manufacturing sector continues to remain above the long period average.16 Investments in fixed assets by listed private manufacturing
companies also registered healthy growth in H1:2023-24, primarily driven by key industries such as petroleum, steel, chemicals and cement. The total flow of resources to the commercial sector from banks and other sources at Rs 17.6 lakh crore during the current financial year so far is significantly higher than that of last year (Rs 14.5 lakh crore). Despite weakness in external demand, both goods and services exports returned to positive territory in October.

10. Looking ahead, private consumption should gain support from gradual
improvement in rural demand, strengthening of manufacturing activity and continued buoyancy in services. The healthy twin balance sheets of banks and corporates, high capacity utilisation, continuing business optimism and government’s thrust on infrastructure spending should propel private sector capex. The drag from external demand is also expected to moderate with a turnaround in merchandise and services exports. The protracted geopolitical turmoil, volatility in global financial markets and growing geo-economic fragmentations, however, pose risks to the outlook. Taking all
these factors into consideration, real GDP growth for 2023-24 is projected at 7.0  percent with Q3 at 6.5  percent; and Q4 at 6.0  percent. Real GDP growth for Q1:2024- 25 is projected at 6.7  percent; Q2 at 6.5  percent; and Q3 at 6.4  percent. The risks are evenly balanced.

Inflation 

11. Food inflation, which was in double-digits in July, has since then moderated to 6.2  percent in October with the correction in vegetable prices. Fuel inflation slipped into deflation since September primarily reflecting the sharp fall in LPG prices in endAugust. The disinflation in core gathered momentum during September-October and reached levels last seen during Q4:2019-20 due to the combined effect of policy rate increases and reduction in cost-push pressures across core goods and services.

12. Going ahead, inflation outlook would be considerably influenced by uncertain food prices. High frequency food price indicators point to an increase in prices of key vegetables which may push CPI inflation higher in the near-term. The ongoing rabi sowing progress for key crops like wheat, spices and pulses needs to be closely monitored. Elevated global sugar prices is also a matter of concern.

Also Read | RBI raises FY24 GDP growth forecast to 7% from 6.5% after Q2 surprise

13. On the positive side, global commodity prices, particularly, agricultural
commodity prices, have softened except rice. For highly import dependent food items like edible oils, international prices continue to remain soft. Domestic milk prices are stabilising. Pro-active supply side interventions by the government are also containing domestic food price pressures. Crude oil has softened considerably, though it may remain volatile. Taking into account these factors and on the assumption of normal monsoons, CPI inflation is projected at 5.4  percent for 2023-24, with Q3 at 5.6
percent and Q4 at 5.2  percent. CPI inflation for Q1:2024-25 is projected at 5.2 percent; Q2 at 4.0  percent; and Q3 at 4.7  percent. The risks are evenly balanced.

What do these Inflation and Growth Conditions mean for Monetary Policy?

14. We have made significant progress in bringing down inflation to below 5 percent in October 2023 despite occasional blips due to intermittent supply shocks. The summer of 2022 is behind us. Our policy of prioritising inflation over growth, hiking policy rate by 250 basis points in a calibrated manner and draining out excess liquidity  have worked well, alongside supply-side measures taken by the government, to bring about this disinflation. The fact that core inflation has also trended lower and household inflation expectations have become better anchored gives us the confidence and conviction that monetary policy is doing its job. On the other hand, growth remains resilient and robust, surprising everyone on the upside.

15. Notwithstanding this progress, the target of 4.0  percent CPI is yet to be reached and we have to stay the course. Headline inflation continues to be volatile due to multiple supply side shocks which have become more frequent and intense. The trajectory of food inflation needs to be closely monitored. Intermittent vegetable price shocks could once again push up headline inflation in November and December.

While monetary policy would look-through such one-off shocks, it has to stay alert to the risk of such shocks becoming generalised and derailing the ongoing disinflation process. In the midst of these uncertainties, monetary policy has to remain actively disinflationary to ensure a durable alignment of headline inflation to the target rate of 4.0  percent, while supporting growth.

Liquidity and Financial Market Conditions

16. Like most other central banks, the Reserve Bank had injected additional
liquidity into the system to counter the COVID-19 related onslaught on the economy. Consequently, the size of Reserve Bank’s balance sheet had expanded significantly. Persistence of such expanded balance sheet far too long could have created macroeconomic and financial instability.

It is worth noting that the Reserve Bank has successfully reduced its balance sheet size well in time. Illustratively, the size of the Reserve Bank’s balance sheet swelled to 28.6  percent of GDP in 2020-21. With modulation in liquidity in the post COVID period, the balance sheet size moderated to 23.3  percent of GDP in 2022-23 and further to 21.6  percent in the current financial year (up to December 1). We consider this as a significant achievement.

Also Read | RBI retains FY24 CPI inflation forecast at 5.4%, sees it at 4% in Q2 FY25

17. System liquidity, as measured by the net position under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF), turned into deficit mode for the first time in September 2023 after a gap of nearly four and a half years since May 2019. Deficit liquidity conditions persisted during October and November prompting large recourse to the marginal standing facility (MSF) by banks.22 In parallel, utilisation of the standing deposit facility (SDF)
has also been high.

18. The overall tightening of liquidity conditions is attributed mainly to higher currency leakage during the festive season, government cash balances and Reserve 20 According to the Reserve Bank’s survey of households, between September 2022 and November 2023 inflation
expectations for 3 months ahead and 1 year ahead softened by 170 and 90 basis points, respectively.

19. Different segments of the financial market have witnessed monetary
transmission of varying extent. Long-term G-sec yields have softened, reflecting strong demand for these bonds from financial institutions and softening of global bond yields. In the credit market, monetary policy transmission is still working its way through the system.

20. With regard to the standing facilities of the Reserve Bank under the LAF, we have noticed simultaneous high utilisation of both MSF and SDF by the banks. This was pointed out in the last monetary policy statement. We propose to address this situation and have decided to allow reversal of liquidity facilities under both SDF and MSF even during weekends and holidays with effect from December 30, 2023. It is expected that this measure will facilitate better fund management by the banks. This
measure will be reviewed after six months or earlier, if needed.

21. The Indian rupee has exhibited low volatility compared to its EME peers in the calendar year 2023, despite elevated US treasury yields and a stronger US dollar.

22. Recently, the Reserve Bank and the Bank of England have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation and exchange of information relating to the Clearing Corporation of India Ltd (CCIL), a Central Counterparty (CCP),27 regulated and supervised by the Reserve Bank. The MOU will enable the Bank of England to assess CCIL for recognition as a third-country CCP for UK-based banks to
clear their transactions through CCIL. This MOU is based on principles of mutual

Financial Stability

23. Financial stability is a public good. The Reserve Bank judiciously uses micro and macro-prudential tools to safeguard financial stability. The recent pre-emptive measures28 taken by the Reserve Bank in respect of Banks and NBFCs were geared towards addressing potential risks and preserving the resilience of the financial sector.

External Sector

24. In October 2023, both merchandise exports and imports came back into the expansionary zone. Services exports remained buoyant during Q2:2023-24. India has remained the top remittance-receiving country.30 The net balance under services and remittances is expected to partly offset India’s current account deficit and keep it within the parameters of viability.

25. On the financing side, foreign portfolio investment (FPI) flows have seen a significant turnaround in 2023-24 with net FPI inflows of US$ 24.9 billion (up to December 6) as against net outflows in the preceding two years.

Additional Measures

26. I shall now announce certain additional measures.

Review of the Regulatory Framework for Hedging of Foreign Exchange Risks

27. The regulatory framework for foreign exchange derivative transactions was last reviewed in 2020. Based on market developments and feedback received from market participants, the extant regulatory framework for forex derivative transactions has been refined and consolidated under a single master direction. This will further deepen the forex derivatives market by enhancing operational efficiency and ease of access for users.

Framework for Connected Lending

28. The extant guidelines on connected lending are limited in scope. It has been decided to come out with a unified regulatory framework on connected lending for all regulated entities of the Reserve Bank. This will further strengthen the pricing and management of credit by regulated entities.

Regulatory Framework for Web-Aggregation of Loan Products

29. The Reserve Bank had introduced the regulatory framework for digital lending in August/September 2022. The digital lending ecosystem also comprises of services that aggregate loan offers from lenders (called web-aggregation of loan products) for guidance of customers. Several concerns relating to such web-aggregation of loan products harming consumers’ interest have come to our notice. It has, therefore, been decided to lay down a regulatory framework for web-aggregation of loan products. This is expected to result in enhanced customer centricity and transparency in digital lending.

Setting up of Fintech Repository

30. Financial entities like banks and NBFCs in India are increasingly partnering with Fintechs. For better understanding of developments in the Fintech ecosystem and to support this sector, it is proposed to set-up a Fintech Repository. This will be operationalised by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub in April 2024 or earlier. FinTechs would be encouraged to provide relevant information voluntarily to this Repository.

Enhancing UPI Transaction Limit for Specified Categories

31. The limit for various categories of UPI transactions has been reviewed from time to time. It is now proposed to enhance the UPI transaction limit for payment to hospitals and educational institutions from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per transaction. This will help the consumers to make UPI payments of higher amounts for education and healthcare purposes.

32. e-Mandates for making payments of recurring nature have become popular among customers. Under this framework, an additional factor of authentication (AFA) is currently required for recurring transactions exceeding Rs 15,000. It is now proposed to enhance this limit to Rs 1 lakh per transaction for recurring payments of mutual fund subscriptions, insurance premium subscriptions and credit card repayments. This measure will further accelerate the usage  of e-mandates.

Establishment of Cloud Facility for the Financial Sector in India

33. Banks and financial entities are maintaining an ever-increasing volume of data. Many of them are utilising the cloud facilities for this purpose. The Reserve Bank is working on establishing a cloud facility for the financial sector in India for this purpose. Such facility would enhance data security, integrity and privacy. It would also facilitate better scalability and business continuity. The cloud facility is intended to be rolled out in a calibrated fashion over the medium term.

Conclusion

34. In a global economy clouded by uncertainties, monetary policy actions and communication can be a stabilising force by anchoring the expectations of economic agents. Clarity and consistency in action and communication is a time-tested principle for effective monetary policy. Policy makers have to be mindful of the risk of being carried away by a few months of good data or by the fact that CPI inflation has come within the target range. They have to be also mindful of the risk of overtightening, especially when large structural changes, geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts are taking place. On top of this, they have to be watchful of the risks from new shocks that could hit the economy from anywhere anytime.

35. We have now reached a stage when every action has to be thought througheven more carefully to ensure overall macroeconomic and financial  stability; more so, because the conditions ahead could be fickle. We have to remain vigilant and ready to act, as per the evolving outlook. India is better placed to withstand the uncertainties compared to many other countries. As the Indian economy treads the path to a brighter future, I recall the wise words of Mahatma Gandhi: "Progress is absolutely assured whenever there is …… an unalterable determination".

Thank you. Namaskar.