By Swati Bhat
MUMBAI (Reuters) -India’s economy has not moderated as much as it did during the first wave of the coronavirus, but uncertainties may act as a short-term deterrent and private demand will be key to revival, the Reserve Bank of India said on Thursday.
In its annual report, the central bank said the country’s growth prospects now essentially depend on how fast India can arrest its second wave of COVID-19 infections.
“For a self-sustaining GDP growth trajectory post-COVID-19, a durable revival in private consumption and investment demand together would be critical as they account for around 85 per cent of GDP,” RBI said.
“Typically, post-crisis recoveries have been led more by consumption than investment; however, investment-led recoveries can be more sustainable and can also lift consumption in parts by better job creation,” it added.
India on Thursday posted 211,298 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, while deaths from COVID-19 rose by 3,847.
RBI said central and state government deficits could rise when revised estimates are released and high levels of deficit and debt could pose challenges in financing once private investment picks up.
RBI said its balance sheet increased by 6.99% in FY21 to 57.08 trillion rupees ($785.7 billion), mainly reflecting its liquidity and foreign exchange operations. The bank’s income decreased by 10.96% but its expenditure also fell by 63.10%, it said.
The central bank reported net gains of 506.29 billion rupees from its foreign exchange transactions in FY21 as against 29.993 billion rupees in FY20, a key contributor to the 73.5% higher surplus transfer to the government last week apart from its higher interest income.
RBI’s board approved a significantly higher than expected surplus transfer of 991.22 billion rupees to the government last Friday, but it may not be enough to cushion the damage from a crippling second wave of the novel coronavirus.
RBI added that reform measures in various areas were likely to improve India’s growth potential on a sustainable basis.
($1 = 72.6450 Indian rupees)
(Reporting by Swati Bhat, Nupur Anand and Manoj Kumar; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
