EMIs on auto, home and other loans are set to go up after RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan unexpectedly raised the policy rate by 0.25 per cent after a gap of almost two years to keep inflation under check, sending the stock markets into a tizzy.
Contrary to the expectations of the industry and experts, Rajan in his maiden policy review opted for a hawkish monetary stance ahead of the festive season instead of shifting the focus to growth promotion by lowering interest rates to generate demand.
The repo rate, or the short-term lending rate, has been increased by 25 basis points to 7.5 per cent from 7.25 per cent with immediate effect. Other policy rates will be adjusted accordingly. The RBI previously raised the repo rate in October 2011 by 0.25 per cent to 8.5 per cent.
The RBI Governor, however, took steps to ease liquidity through a reduction in the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate, at which banks borrow from the central bank, by 0.75 per cent to 9.5 per cent and a lowering of the minimum daily maintenance of the cash reserve ratio (CRR).
After the policy was unveiled, State Bank of India Chairman Pratip Chaudhuri said lending and deposit rates will go up in view of the rise in festive season demand.
Rajan, however, did not indicate that banks would raise lending rates, saying the cut in the MSF rate would balance the impact of the repo rate hike.
"I hope that they (banks) will look at their cost of funding...To make a decision and not look at the future and try and anticipate some hypothetical cost," he added.
Following the policy announcement, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex tanked by as much as 595 points, while the rupee depreciated 69 paise to 62.46 against the dollar.
