The Reserve Bank of India expectedly kept benchmark interest rate and stance unchanged for the ninth straight policy meeting, saying it cannot afford to look through persisting high food inflation and has to remain vigilant to prevent spillover.
Retaining its unambiguous focus on inflation, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which consists of three RBI and three external members, kept the benchmark repurchase or repo rate unchanged at 6.50 per cent.
Four out of the six members of MPC voted in favour of the rate decision. The panel, whose four-year term ends in October, also decided to retain a policy stance at “withdrawal of accommodation” to aid MPC’s focus on bringing inflation towards its 4 per cent target.
Inflation climbed to 5.08 per cent in June, primarily driven by the food component.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said food inflation remains “stubbornly” high.
“Without price stability, high growth cannot be sustained,” he said, adding that “monetary policy must continue to be disinflationary”.