Monetary Tools used by RBI to control Inflation

What is Inflation?

Inflation simply refers to  "an increase in the price you pay for goods." In other words, a decline in the purchasing power of your money".

So Inflation is nothing but a rise in the level of prices of goods and/or services in an economy over a certain period of time.

Inflation can have positive and/or negative effects on an economy. Negative effects of inflation could be a decrease in the real value of money and other monetary items over time; uncertainty about future inflation cal also discourage investment and savings, and high inflation might lead to shortages of goods if the consumers begin hoarding out of concern that the prices will increase in the future. Positive effects of inflation include a mitigation of economic recessions and debt relief by way of reducing the real level of debt.

How Inflation is measured in India?


In India, inflation is calculated on a weekly basis. India uses the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to calculate and then decide the inflation rate in the economy.

WPI was first published in 1902, and was one of the more economic indicators available to policy makers until it was replaced by most developed countries by the Consumer Price Index in the 1970s.

WPI is the index that is used to measure the change in the average price level of goods traded in wholesale market. In India, a total of 435 commodities data on price level is tracked through WPI which is an indicator of movement in prices of commodities in all trade and transactions. It is also the price index which is available on a weekly basis with the shortest possible time lag only two weeks. The Indian government has taken WPI as an indicator of the rate of inflation in the economy


Present Rate of Inflation in India:9.8% as on Aug 2011

Monetary Policy of RBI to control Inflation and Various Monetary tools:

The Monetary and Credit Policy is the policy statement, traditionally announced twice a year, through which the Reserve Bank of India seeks to ensure price stability for the economy.


These factors include - money supply, interest rates and the inflation. In banking and economic terms money supply is referred to as M3 - which indicates the level (stock) of legal currency in the economy.


Besides, the RBI also announces norms for the banking and financial sector and the institutions which are governed by it. These would be banks, financial institutions, non-banking financial institutions, Nidhis and primary dealers (money markets) and dealers in the foreign exchange (forex) market.


Historically, the Monetary Policy is announced twice a year - a slack season policy (April-September) and a busy season policy (October-March) in accordance with agricultural cycles. These cycles also coincide with the halves of the financial year.


Initially, the Reserve Bank of India announced all its monetary measures twice a year in the Monetary and Credit Policy. The Monetary Policy has become dynamic in nature as RBI reserves its right to alter it from time to time, depending on the state of the economy.


However, with the share of credit to agriculture coming down and credit towards the industry being granted whole year around, the RBI since 1998-99 has moved in for just one policy in April-end. However a review of the policy does take place later in the year

The different rates/tools used  in monetary policy to control Inflation  used by RBI are explained below:

1.  CRR(Cash Reserve Ratio):Cash reserve Ratio (CRR) is the amount of Cash(liquid cash like gold) that    the banks have to keep with RBI. This Ratio is basically to secure solvency of the bank and to drain out the excessive money from the banks. If RBI decides to increase the percent of this, the available amount with the banks comes down and if RBI reduce the CRR then available amount with Banks increased and they are able to lend more.


Present CRR is ( 6% as of Sept 2011    ) .

2.SLR((Statutory Liquidity Ratio) is the amount a commercial bank needs to maintain in the form of cash, or gold or govt. approved securities (Bonds) before providing credit to its customers. SLR rate is determined and maintained by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) in order to control the expansion of bank credit.Generally this mandatory ration is complied by investing in Govtbonds.


Present  SLR is 24  %.as of Sept2011

3. Repo Rate: 

Whenever the banks have any shortage of funds  they can borrow it from RBI.  Repo rate is  the rate at which our banks borrow  rupees from RBI. A reduction in  the repo rate will  help banks to get money at a cheaper rate.  When the repo rate increases borrowing from RBI  becomes more expensive.

Present Repo Rate:8.25 % as of September 2011

4. Reverse Repo rate:


Reverse Repo rate is the rate at which Reserve Bank of India (RBI) borrows money from banks. Banks are always ready to lend money to RBI since their money are in safe hands with a good interest. An increase in Reverse repo rate can cause the banks to transfer more funds to RBI due to this attractive interest rates. It can cause the money to be drawn out of the banking system. 


Present REverse Repo Rate: 7.25% as of September 2011


5. Bank Rate:

  

Bank Rate is the rate at which  RBI  allows finance to commercial banks. Bank Rate is a tool, which central bank  uses for short-term purposes. Any upward revision in Bank Rate by central bank is an indication that banks should also increase    deposit rates  as well as Base Rate/ Benchmark Prime Lending Rate(BPLR).  Thus any revision in the Bank rate indicates that it is likely that interest rates on your deposits are likely to either go up or go down,  and it can also indicate  an increase or decrease in your EMI.

Present Bank Rate: 6 % as of Sept.2011

You can refer the Website of RBI to know the above rates on any date at:
http://www.rbi.org.in

How to succeed at anything by Caitlin Reid

 Caitlin Reid 

It doesn't matter whether you are trying to succeed at work, in your relationship or with your wealth the principles are the same. 

Accredited nutritionist and exercise physiologist Caitlin Reid provides you with the top six tips that will help you succeed no matter what.

1. Know what you want
You must have the desire to succeed. This means you need to know what you want in life and be able to identify the actions that you need to take to achieve your goals. Goals provide a guide to your destination in life and without them, others determine where you'll end up.


2. Never give up
Persistence is the number one thing for being successful. It's easy for people to become disheartened when they are criticised or encounter a hurdle while trying to achieve their goals, but to be a true success you must persist through the criticism, rejection, pressure and failure. A fighting spirit will make you succeed.


3. Believe in yourself
To be successful you need to have a positive outlook and believe that you can achieve your goals. When you feel good about yourself, you react more confidently to life's challenges. If you believe in yourself and push yourself through shyness and self-doubt you will succeed more far than you will fail. Believe and you will achieve.


4. Never stop learning
Successful people never stop learning. They learn from their mistakes, new experiences and other people. Learning at every opportunity increases your knowledge in old and new areas and keeps you ahead in your field. Read books, acquire new skills and seek additional training and it will definitely set you apart from the rest.


5. Do what you love
To do something well you must at least like it, but it helps to love it. Being passionate about the things you spend your time on is energising and motivates you to succeed. Do what you love, and success will come.


6. Avoid conditional happiness
Too many of us believe that if some problem resolved itself we would finally be happy. But striving for happiness without sitting back and finding happiness at this particular point in your life is no way to live. Successful people avoid delayed gratification and don't sit around waiting for problems to resolve. Successful people find happiness at every instance, rather than just when they think things are going right for them.

by Caitlin Reid, Accredited nutritionist, exercise physiologist, author & health writer






          

Tips to help relieve acidity

Acids present in the stomach helps break down the food during digestion. But when there is excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach, it results in a condition known as acidity. 


Causes of Acidity:


The following are some of the causes of acidity.

• Due to some problems in the functioning of the digestive system
• Sometimes excessive intake of alcohol also leads to acidity
• Acidity also arises either by keeping stomach empty for long time or skipping breakfast
• Eating foods rich in fats like chocolates also causes acidity
• Pregnancy, aging or obesity can also cause acidity

Symptoms of Acidity:


The following are some of the symptoms of acidity


1. Burning sensation or pain in the stomach after one to four hours of a meal
2. Feel hungry frequently
3. Constant pain in upper abdomen
4. Belching, nausea, bitter taste in mouth, vomiting and loss of appetite 5. Heartburn is characterized by a deeply placed, burning pain in the chest behind the sternum (breast-bone). It occurs after meals and is precipitated by increase in intra-abdominal pressure like straining or lifting weights.



6. Dyspepsia is a burning or an aching pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes described as a stabbing sensation penetrating through the gut.


Here are some tips to relieve acidity:

• Maintaining an upright posture for some time after food will help in preventing reflex in to oesophagus.
• Bananas have protective action against acidity and are highly recommended in the diet. The alkaline ash present in banana correct the acidosis caused by acid forming diets.
• Acidity leads to the sour or burning sensation in the chest. Include green leafy vegetables and sprouts in your diet as these contain vitamins B and E, which aid digestion and also facilitate the elimination of acids from the body.
• Put a small part of jaggery (gur) in your jaws and slowly suck it. Repeat it each hour till acidity subsides
• You should avoid any sport activity or exercise like abdominal exercise right after eating food. Abdominal muscle contractions can make the food you just ate to come back on the oesophagus and gastric acid that got to be secreted during eating will get to the oesophagus too. 
• Acidity can be cured and controlled by following simple health tips in our daily routine. Fruits are very good and handy remedy to cure acidity. Fruits have great nutritional value for our health and fitness.
• Make a habit to have a glass of luke warm water every day, it helps relieve acidity. 
• Avoid having pickles, spicy chutneys, vinegar etc. in your food as these are also responsible to trigger acidity. 
• Ginger is also a good source to cure acidity. You can add ginger to your regular food preparation. 
• Acidity can also be a result of excessive smoking and alcohol consumption. So avoid both if you are suffering from acidity.
• Coconut water is a very good source to help cure acidity and soothe your system. So try to have coconut water daily to keep away acidity.
• Always make a habit to have your last meal two to three hours before going to bed. This habit will help control acidity.