RBI to inject Rs 80 billion liquidity via government securities

“Based on an assessment of prevailing liquidity conditions and also of the durable liquidity needs going forward, the RBI has decided to conduct purchase of the following government securities under Open Market Operations for an aggregate amount of Rs 80 billion on November 22, 2018 (Thursday)...,” it said in a statement.

The OMO operation will help ease tight liquidity situation triggered by series of default by group companies of IL&FS. The eligible participants should submit their offers in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system on November 22. The RBI had earlier stated that the system liquidity will move into deficit in the second half of 2018-19 and the evolving liquidity conditions would determine its choice of instruments for both transient and durable liquidity management. As part of the OMOs, the RBI will purchase government securities maturing in 2021 bearing interest rate of 7.80 per cent, 2024 (8.40 per cent), 2026 (8.33 per cent), 2028 (8.60 per cent) and 2032 (8.28 per cent).

The RBI said it has the right to decide on the quantum of purchase of individual securities and can also accept offers for less than Rs 80 billion. It may as well purchase marginally higher than the aggregate amount due to rounding-off effect, it said, adding it can also accept of reject any or all the offers either wholly or partially without assigning any reason. OMOs are the tools which can be used to either inject or drain liquidity from the system. It is employed to adjust rupee liquidity conditions in the market on a durable basis. If there is excess liquidity, the RBI resorts to sale of securities and sucks out the rupee liquidity. Similarly, when the liquidity conditions are tight, it buys securities from the market, thereby releasing money into the market. The RBI board had held a marathon meeting on Monday. The Board also advised that the RBI should consider a scheme for restructuring of stressed standard assets of MSME borrowers with aggregate credit facilities of up to Rs 25 crore, subject to such conditions as are necessary for ensuring financial stability.

Most of the RBI’s 10 independent directors, including Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, attended the meeting that had drawn intense media and market attention. According to sources, the next meeting of central board of the RBI isscheduled to be held on December 14.