Centre likely to unveil Rs 1.5 lakh cr stimulus to undo corona downturn

| | New Delhi
  • 0

Centre likely to unveil Rs 1.5 lakh cr stimulus to undo corona downturn

Thursday, 26 March 2020 | PNS | New Delhi

India is likely to agree an economic stimulus package of more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore ($19.6 billion) to fight a downturn in the country that is currently locked down to stem the spread of coronavirus, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The Government has not yet finalised the package and discussions are ongoing between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office, the Finance Ministry, and Reserve Bank of India (RBI), said both the sources, who asked not to be named as the matter was still under discussion.

One of the sources, a senior Government official, said the stimulus plan could be as large as Rs 2.3 trillion, but final numbers were still in discussion.

The package, which could be announced by the end of the week, will be used to put money directly into the accounts of more than 100 million poor and to support businesses hit the hardest by the lockdown, the sources said.

The Government will also increase its borrowing plan for the fiscal year 2020/21, which starts from April 1, from the current planned gross borrowing of Rs 7.8 lakh crore, both sources said.

The sources added that the Government had asked the RBI to buy some of the Government securities being issued, a move not undertaken by the Indian central bank in decades, due to fears of inflation spiking.

 “The RBI will have to buy bonds like other central banks in the world,” the first official said.

The second official added the Government could also use the central bank’s ways-and-means facility — an overdraft facility the RBI offers to the state — if it faces a cash crunch.

The Finance Ministry declined to comment on the plan and the RBI did not immediately respond to an e-mail requesting comment.   

Sunday Edition

Astroturf | Reinvent yourself during Navaratra

14 April 2024 | Bharat Bhushan Padmadeo | Agenda

A DAY AWAITED FOR FIVE CENTURIES

14 April 2024 | Biswajeet Banerjee | Agenda

Navratri | A Festival of Tradition, Innovation, and Wellness

14 April 2024 | Divya Bhatia | Agenda

Spiritual food

14 April 2024 | Pioneer | Agenda

Healthier shift in Navratri cuisine

14 April 2024 | Pioneer | Agenda

SHUBHO NOBO BORSHO

14 April 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda