RBI's Monetary Policy: How does interest rate hike make owning things expensive?

Updated: 07 Dec 2022, 09:39 AM IST
TL;DR.

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is responsible for regulating the money supply and credit in order to maintain price stability. The RBI's monetary policy affects prices through its influence on the cost of credit, interest rates, and money supply. An increase in money supply and a decrease in interest rates can lead to higher prices, while a decrease in money supply and an increase in interest rates can lead to lower prices. The RBI must manage its monetary policy effectively in order to maintain price stability and achieve desired levels of economic growth.

FILE PHOTO: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seal is pictured on a gate outside the RBI headquarters in Mumbai, India, February 2, 2016. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui/File Photo

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the country's central bank and it plays a major role in controlling the monetary policy of India. It has been entrusted with the responsibility of regulating the supply of money and credit in order to maintain price stability and achieve desired levels of economic growth. Monetary policy impacts the cost of goods and services in the economy, as it affects the rate of inflation. An increase in money supply results in an increase in prices, while a decrease in money supply results in a decrease in prices. This article will discuss how the RBI's monetary policy affects prices and why it can lead to higher prices.

How Monetary Policy Affects Prices

Monetary policy impacts prices through its influence on the cost of credit and the money supply. When the RBI increases the money supply, there is an increase in the availability of credit, which leads to an increase in demand for goods and services. This causes prices to rise as businesses need to increase their production to meet the higher demand. On the other hand, when the RBI decreases the money supply, there is a decrease in the availability of credit and demand for goods and services falls, resulting in a decrease in prices.

Interest Rates

The RBI's monetary policy also affects prices through its influence on interest rates. When the RBI increases the interest rate, it makes borrowing costlier. This leads to a decrease in investment and consumption, which in turn leads to a decrease in demand for goods and services. This causes prices to fall as businesses reduce their production due to the decrease in demand. On the other hand, when the RBI decreases the interest rate, it makes borrowing cheaper, leading to an increase in investment and consumption. This causes prices to rise as businesses need to increase their production to meet the higher demand.

Impact of RBI's Monetary Policy

The RBI's monetary policy has a significant impact on prices in the economy. An increase in money supply leads to an increase in prices, while a decrease in money supply leads to a decrease in prices. Similarly, an increase in interest rates leads to a decrease in prices, while a decrease in interest rates leads to an increase in prices. Therefore, the RBI's monetary policy can lead to higher prices if it is not managed properly.

The RBI's monetary policy has a significant impact on prices in the economy. An increase in money supply and a decrease in interest rates can lead to higher prices, while a decrease in money supply and an increase in interest rates can lead to lower prices. It is important for the RBI to manage its monetary policy effectively in order to maintain price stability and achieve desired levels of economic growth.

 

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First Published: 07 Dec 2022, 09:39 AM IST