In a recent development, India’s banking sector finds itself entangled in a pronounced liquidity deficit, a challenge reaching a near five-year pinnacle. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported a significant shortfall of ₹1.74 lakh crore, primarily attributed to mounting Goods and Services Tax (GST) dues and recent bond auctions.
The liquidity squeeze intensified on Wednesday, soaring to ₹1.77 trillion, marking the highest level since December 26, 2018. This surge is attributed to a complex interplay of factors, including the impact of GST payments, withdrawals through Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (I-CRR), and strains from recent bond auctions.
DGM V Ramachandra Reddy of the RBI emphasized that tax payments alone have contributed to potential deficits peaking at ₹2 lakh crore. To counter these challenges, the RBI has deployed various transitional tools, a strategy initiated post-Covid, aiming to balance inflation and support economic growth.
Analysts at Kotak Mahindra Bank project a weekly cash flow shortfall, estimating outflows at ₹2.06 lakh crore against inflows of ₹1.6 lakh crore. This projection considers coupon inflows and anticipated government expenditures toward month-end.
Relief is anticipated in the upcoming week, as liquidity concerns are expected to ease with government bond redemptions worth ₹891 billion due on Friday and Tuesday. Maturing government bonds on these days are expected to inject ₹56,572.719 crore and ₹32,500 crore into the system, respectively.
This liquidity crunch has prompted increased borrowing from the RBI’s MSF, reaching an unprecedented December high of ₹2.3 trillion as banks maneuver their short-term funding needs. The market is vigilantly monitoring for signs of improvement in liquidity conditions as these government bond redemptions unfold, hoping for a stabilizing effect on the banking sector.
Facts and figures from Reuters Article
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