RBI has trimmed repo rate
by 115 bps to 4.00 and reverse repo rate by 150 bps to 3.35%. Now the spread
will be 40 bps instead of 25 bps earlier. The higher spread is to discourage
the SBCs to deposit the surplus amount with RBI and insist them lend more to
the industries.
In addition, the central
bank has decided to reduce the CRR rate by 100 bps to 3%. This will infuse Rs.
1.37 lac crore liquidity into the system. For long term liquidity, the central
bank will conduct auction of TLTRO upto 3yr tenor of a size of Rs. 1 lac crore.
Further, under MSF
facility, banks are allowed to borrow overnight 3% of SLR instead of 2%.
All the three measures
together will unleash 3.74 lac crore into the system.
The central bank is expected to
wait and watch how the inflation rate and growth will response to the recent
move of 75 bps after the economic crisis.
The liquidity in the banking system
already stands above Rs. 6 lakh crore hints room for rate cut still exist.
Moreover, GDP growth momentum is
expected to remain in the negative territory.