Demand for cash this festive season prevails over economic slowdown

The economic slowdown has not dented festive season demand for cash. In the two weeks leading to Dussehra, currency in circulation witnessed a spurt, as it normally does during this time of the year. The demand for currencies rose in the eastern India, where Durga Puja is a major festival. However, the highest demand is likely to be generated during Diwali (October 27). 

In the previous years, the festival has seen a strong demand for cash and other forms of currencies. The currency in circulation largely consists of cash with public and current and savings account deposits with banks (but not terms of deposits). The currency rose by 0.94 per cent on the week ended October 11, standing at Rs 22.27 trillion. In the week ended October 4, it rose 0.90 per cent. However, a week before that, it had risen only 0.06 per cent.

However, the overall demand for currency has fallen in line with the slowdown in economy. The currency in circulation rose 13.80 per cent (YoY), compared to 21 per cent in the year-ago period. “Rise in cash in circulation by over 1.8 per cent during last festive session is definitely encouraging and upcoming Diwali session will give better understanding,” said Soumyajit Niyogi, associate director of India 

Ratings and Research. “This strengthens the fact the propensity to consume might have been down but not dead, it’s means of consumption has to be energised by way of boosting present income or future visibility of income,” he said.