RBI cuts CRR by 1 pc, repo rate by 0.5 pc

The RBI effected yet another 100 basis points cut in CRR and a 0.5 per cent reduction in key short-term lending (repo) rate, signaling softening of interest rates to prop up growth.

After infusing Rs 1,85,000-crore liquidity into the banking system, the RBI on Saturday effected yet another 100 basis points cut in cash reserve ratio (CRR) and a 0.5 per cent reduction in key short-term lending (repo) rate, signaling softening of interest rates to prop up growth.

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The one percentage point cut in CRR, the amount which banks have to park with the apex bank, has been brought down to 5.5 per cent to infuse additional liquidity of Rs 40,000 crore into the system.

The CRR cut will be in two tranches and the first one of 0.5 per cent will be effective retrospectively from October 25 and the second from November 8.

The RBI also cut the repo rate, the rate at which it lends to banks, by 0.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent with effect from November 3.

The central bank has also reduced the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR), the amount which banks are mandated to park in government securities, by 100 basis points to 24 per cent.