The Signal (weekly highlights)

1. RBI for easy monetary policy till output gap is negative.

Indian monetary policy makers may have room to tolerate inflation and keep monetary policies easy for some time as long as the output gap remains negative, as per RBI research paper.

The Reserve Bank of India ‘s low interest rate regime will continue to support demand in the economy, even as authorities scale back pandemic support.

2. India Inc re-evaluating investment plans as capacity utilization picks up pace

India Inc is gearing up to take advantage of the various fiscal incentives announced under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

As capacity utilization increases fresh investments start to rise. Capacity utilization is the rate used by corporates to assess their current operating efficiency.  

3. CBDT issues refunds worth Rs. 1.2 trillion this fiscal

India’s widening current account deficit (CAD), driven by the massive spike in commodity prices led by crude oil, is set to put pressure on the economic recovery

Tax refunds may offer an economic stimulus. People will have more money to spend on discretionary spending further helping to boost the economy.

4. GST Collections to scale record high in November

With Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rising to Rs.1.3 trillion in October 2021, the trend is expected to scale a record high in November as well.

Current month’s GST collections are basically for the transactions done in the previous month. E-way bills generation in October 2021 was the highest ever at 73.5 million owing to festivities. This gives advance information that GST collections in November could be greater

5. Banks collectively sanction loans of Rs. 760.1 bn during festive period.

Banks collectively sanctioned loans worth Rs.760.1 billion to 1.8 million borrowers during 16 October to 7 November 2021.

These loans were distributed under the nationwide credit outreach programme in four-five categories during the festive period

PSBs’ profit in the first half of this financial year is nearly equal to that of the previous full financial year. Sustained recovery efforts have helped PSBs bring down their net NPA to 2.9 per cent for the quarter ended September, which has been the lowest in seven years.