The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will complete 55.6 per cent (Rs 79,000 crore) of the budgeted government borrowing programme of Rs 1,42,779 crore for 2002-03 in the first half (H1) of the fiscal. In percentage terms, this is much lower that what RBI has borrowed in the first half of the current financial year.
The central bank had completed 65 per cent of the borrowings in the first half of 2001-02. In absolute terms, however, it was lower at Rs 77,000 crore as the budgeted borrowing programme was Rs 1,18,800 crore.
The RBI, which is the merchant banker of the government, today issued a indicative calendar of the government's borrowing programme, first such instance in its history. The calendar shows that in the first half of the fiscal year, Rs 68,000 crore will be mopped up through dated papers.
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Another Rs 11,000 crore will be raised through 364-day treasury bills. The calendar will help banks in better liquidity management.
The central bank said the calendar has been issued in consultation with the government. It added: "it (the calendar) has been issued with a view to enable institutional and retail investors to plan their investment in a better manner and also to provide further transparency and stability in government securities."
The calendar, however, is subject to variations depending on market conditions and other factors. The apex bank said: "in addition to the proposed issuances, the Reserve Bank will have the flexibility for additional issuances of government securities as per emerging requirement of the Centre and the market conditions."
Traditionally, 60-65 per cent of the government borrowing programme is completed in the first half of the financial year. This is because the interest rate remains soft during this period, known as slack season.
A section of money market dealers feels that even though the RBI has committed to raise only 55.6 per cent of the borrowing in the first six months, it may deviate from it and raise more if demand for credit does not pick up and there is ample liquidity in the system.