Real estate industry hails RBI move to boost liquidity in system

The real estate industry on Friday hailed RBI's decision to boost liquidity into the system and provide relief to loans taken from NBFCs for commercial projects, but sought one-time restructuring of their loans and a stimulus package to help the sector in battling the crisis caused by the lockdown to control COVID-19.

The RBI on Friday reduced the reverse repo rate - the rate at which banks park their fund with the central bank - by 25 basis points to encourage banks to lend to the productive sectors of the economy.

It also announced an additional Rs 50,000 crore through targeted long-term repo operation (TLTRO) and another re-financing window of Rs 50,000 crore for institutions like Nabard, National Housing Bank and Sidbi.

CREDAI Chairman Jaxay Shah said: " We welcome the RBI's decision of providing the liquidity boost to the realty sector. We are hopeful that the government will soon aid the sector with the announcement of the much needed economic package."
Naredco President Niranjan Hiranandani said: From the perspective of regulatory norms to spur an economic revival, the measures announced aim to maintain adequate liquidity in the system, facilitate bank credit flow and ease financial stress. These are absolutely welcome, given that economic activity has come to a standstill during the lockdown."
Anarock Chairman Anuj Puri said: "Among the various measures announced, commendably its allotment of Rs 10,000 crore to NHB is a big move for the real estate sector reeling under the liquidity crisis. It will help provide capital to HFCs and eventually provide major relief to developers battling liquidity issues in COVID-19 times."
JLL India CEO and Country Head Ramesh Nair said, "Today's announcement will give an initial fillip to the real estate sector. The central bank's focus to provide credit flow to NBFCs is a key step. This will provide a boost to various real estate activities."
Savills India CEO Anurag Mathur said:" The central bank's decision to pump in Rs 10,000 crore to NHB for refinancing companies is expected to address some of the liquidity concerns in the residential segment."
Reliance Home Finance CEO Ravindra Sudhalkar said, "RBI has provided a welcome relief to NBFcs and HFCs in the form of liquidity boosters, which will benefit both housing and commercial real estate."
Supertech Chairman R K Arora said one time restructuring of loans was not allowed which is a primary requirement of the real estate sector."