RBI has retained its inflation projection at 5.4% for the current year. Uncertainties in food prices and volatility in global crude oil prices continue to keep 4% target out of reach.
Geopolitical conflicts & new cold war have upended oil, various food and commodity markets. Climate-change issues will impose other costs. So, prices will rise even if demand is weak.
Findings are of relevance for RBI, which has followed inflation targeting policies since 2016 but had to write to govt in December 2022 explaining why inflation had overshot target.
Many experts argued against retaining 4% plus-minus 2% target, while some wanted to scrap the framework altogether. But it provides stability, can help growth.
Year-on-year method misses trends in prices, so month-to-month seasonal adjustment should be used. According to this, May-December avg inflation was 4.05%.
RBI must work towards better transmission mechanism, for which India needs deep & liquid bond market, competitive banking sector & regulatory framework.
‘Well-entrenched institutional apathy' is how Dhiren A Sadokpam, editor of The Frontier Manipur defined it. 'New Delhi has the power to intervene at every level,' he said.
Proposal to restart licensing is welcome, but Rs 300-crore minimum capital requirement could mean only handful of credit societies qualify, say sector executives
Overall, President Droupadi Murmu has approved Gallantry awards to 70 armed forces personnel, including six posthumous, on the eve of 77th Republic Day.
No nation other than China can negotiate one-on-one with Trump on an equal footing. That’s why the middle powers who so far formed the core of multilateral bodies now feel orphaned.
COMMENTS