RBI may consider easing rates next month

CHENNAI, Nov 5 (Reuters): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may consider reversing its tight monetary stance as inflationary woes begin to ebb next month, a top policy adviser said Saturday. The RBI has raised interest rates 13 times since March 2010 in a bid to control inflation, which has topped 9 per cent for nearly a year. However, C Rangarajan, the prime minister's chief economic adviser, said headline inflation may remain high for next one-two months after which it is expected to slowdown to around 7 per cent by end-March. "It is expected that by December, January we should see decline in inflation, that may be the time when perhaps reversal of policy (monetary policy) will become possible," he told reporters on the sidelines of a banking conference. "As the inflation rate shows definite signs of decline, the policy regime also have to change." A cumulative rate tightening of 375 basis points is seen slowing down India's domestic consumption driven growth story. But the RBI has refused to lower its guard against inflation and remains the only central bank that continues to tighten monetary policy amid global slowdown. Early this week, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) became the latest central bank to cut rate in response to threats to the global economy from Europe's debt emergency. India's slowing economic growth has slowed down tax revenues, squeezing federal finances and putting a question mark on the government's ability to restrict the fiscal gap for the 201112 financial year at the budgeted level of 4.6 per cent of gross domestic product. Any slippage on the fiscal gap target has the potential of worsening India's inflationary problem and choking private investment. The RBI, which last week signalled a pause in its tightening cycle, has warned of inflationary risks if the government's deficit for the current fiscal year ending in March exceeds the budget target. Rangarajan, a former RBI chief, said the government should make all possible efforts to keep the fiscal deficit at the budgeted level and consider deregulate petroleum prices once inflation starts slowing down. The government is under fire for allowing a hike in gasoline prices Friday and is expected to delay a planned diesel price hike for fear the move could cause further damage ahead of key state elections beginning early next year. He also flagged risks to the asset quality of Indian banks from a slowing economy and rising interest rates. The RBI has now allowed transfer of shares between resident and non-resident investors under the foreign direct investment route without its prior permission with certain exceptions, it said. In 201011 (April-March), FDI inflows into India had declined an annual 25 per cent to $19.42 billion, while the inflows during the April-June quarter more than doubled to $13.44 billion compared to year-ago quarter.