PM Narendra Modi likely to review state of economy amid falling rupee and rising oil prices
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss possible fiscal and monetary steps with top finance officials in the meeting that may happen on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold a meeting to discuss the country’s economy this weekend, according to multiple reports on Wednesday thta triggered a sharp recovery in rupee, which has shed 12% of its value this year.
According to reports by news agencies PTI and Newsrise, possible fiscal and monetary steps will be discussed at the meeting which will include the country’s top finance officials. Both cited sources who asked not to be named.
“Finance minister Arun Jaitley, NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council chairman Bibek Debroy and finance secretary Hasmukh Adhia are among the officials who are likely to attend the meeting on Saturday”, PTI quoted officials as saying.
Fiscal and monetary measures cannot be ruled out after the review meeting, nor a rate hike by the central bank, television channels said earlier in the day, prompting a recovery in rupee from record lows. Indeed, talk of an unscheduled increase in the rate (between two meetings of the Monetary Policy Committee) has been doing the rounds for a few days.
The Rupee’s performance also has a bearing on fuel prices, which have been rising to new highs since August 31, triggering fresh concerns of a price rise that may trickle down to essential commodities.
The trend has also widened India’s current account deficit, and led opposition parties to organise a nationwide strike on Monday which affected life in at least eight states, though it was largely uneventful across the country.
There was no fundamental rationale for the rupee to depreciate to the low levels of the previous session, Subhash Garg, the economic affairs secretary, wrote on social network Twitter.
“It (rupee fall) reflected overreaction of market operators. Government and RBI will do everything to ensure that rupee does not slide to unreasonable levels. Today’s correction seems to reflect that realisation.” Analysts are of the opinion that at least some of the currency’s fall has to do with sentiment.
While the structure of the meeting is not known, according to PTI, it could review macroeconomic indicators, government finances and implementation of flagship financial inclusion and other development schemes as well.
The finance ministry has till now ruled out any cut in central taxes on fuel because it needs the money for its developmental and social projects.
Four states, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, have reduced their share of duties, the value added tax (VAT) to lower retail petrol and diesel prices.
On Wednesday, the Rupee gained 0.7% over its Tuesday close to end the day at ₹71.69 to the dollar. This, though, came after it almost touched ₹73 to the dollar ( ₹72.92) in morning trades. The revival happened after reports of the PM’s review that said measures to contain the spiralling price of fuel and the falling currency would be considered. On Wednesday, the BSE’s benchmark index Sensex closed 0.81% up at 37717.96.