Letters to BS: Govt must reciprocate by helping RBI to augment its reserves

This refers to the report “RBI approves a record Rs 1.76 trillion surplus transfer to government” (August 27). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with active support from former governor Bimal Jalan and ex-deputy governor Rakesh Mohan graciously handled a tough situation. The new Economic Capital Framework, recommended by the Jalan panel and accepted by the RBI, should convince and satisfy all stakeholders. It may be recalled that RBI's reserves, which had peaked to 11.9 per cent of the balance sheet size in 2009, has been depleting since then and is now touching 5.5 per cent. The Jalan panel recommendation to maintain reserves at 5.5-6.5 per cent level has to be seen against this development. In the central bank's eagerness to support the GoI, the level has been maintained at the minimum. The government should welcome this gesture and, in the coming years, reciprocate by helping RBI to augment its reserves. Ideally, RBI's share capital should be raised from the present level of Rs 5 crore to the equivalent of $100 billion or upwards. 

M G Warrier, Mumbai
 

Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to: 

The Editor, Business Standard

Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg 

New Delhi 110 002 

Fax: (011) 23720201  •  E-mail: letters@bsmail.in

All letters must have a postal address and telephone number