Highlights of RBI’s monetary policy statement

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: Following are the highlights of RBI’s monetary policy statement:

* Benchmark lending rate unchanged at 6.50 per cent
* RBI projects 6.5 pc economic growth for 2023-24, better than 6.4 pc projected in February
* Inflation to be 5.2 pc in 2023-24, against 5.3 pc estimated in February

* Fight against inflation far from over, inflation outlook dynamic amid sudden announcement of crude output cut by OPEC+
* War against inflation has to continue until RBI sees a durable decline in inflation closer to the target
* Expectation of a record Rabi harvest bodes well for easing of food price pressures, milk prices likely to remain firm going into the summer season due to tight demand-supply balance and fodder cost pressures
* Protracted geopolitical tensions and global financial market volatility pose downside risks to growth outlook
* Witnessing unprecedented uncertainties in geopolitics and economy
* Global economy confronted with serious financial stability challenges in wake of recent banking sector developments in advanced countries
* Regulators need to identify potential vulnerabilities and take proactive regulatory and supervisory measures
* Institutions should exercise due diligence in risk management, corporate governance practices; pay close attention to asset-liability mismatches, build up adequate capital buffers
* RBI keeping a close watch on the banking sector turmoil in some developed countries
* RBI to set up centralised portal for public to search unclaimed deposits in multiple banks

*Indian Rupee moved in an orderly manner in 2022 and continues to be so in 2023, RBI remains watchful on maintaining stability
* CAD to remain moderate in Q4:2022-23 and in the year 2023-24 at a level that is both viable, eminently manageable
* Next meeting of the monetary policy committee scheduled for June 6-8. (PTI)