Inflation targeting may keep rates elevated in CY 15

Statement by Mr.Yogesh Agarwal, MD and CEO of Avantha Group Company BILT

Inflation targeting may keep rates elevated in CY 15

•  Inflation targeting may prolong high interest rate cycle for CY 15 •  Growth and investment to be casualties of inflation targeting •  Elections, monsoon factors likely to act as policy trigger points •  See rates remaining elevated throughout most of CY 15

“We welcome the RBI’s move to keep the repo rate and the CRR on hold though a slash in the repo rate by atleast 25 bps would have brought in some positive momentum to the economy and added to the current market cheer.
While the RBI seems to be veering towards targeting consumer price inflation as its dominant guidepost, I believe this may result in a prolonged period of high rates this calendar without any real dampening of inflationary pressures. That’s because core consumer price inflation does not respond well to monetary measures. In such a situation, growth and investments could be casualties in an already fragile environment.
Going forward, much depends on non economic factors such as the elections which will be the main trigger come May. Risk of an El‐Nino exerting upward pressure on food prices can’t also be ruled out. Inflation, both CPI and WPI have come off their highs but if it stays the course even at these levels, then rates will not come down before the latter half of the current calendar year, if at all”.

About Avantha

The Rs. 25,000 crores (US$4bn) Avantha Group is one of India’s leading business conglomerates. Its successful entities in diversified sectors include Crompton Greaves (power transmission and distribution equipment and services), BILT (paper and pulp), The Global Green Company Limited (food processing), Biltech Building Elements Limited (infrastructure), Avantha Power (energy), Salient Business Solutions Limited (IT and ITES), Jg Glass (glass containers)
With a global footprint, the Group operates in 90 countries with more than 25,000 employees worldwide. Led by Gautam Thapar, Avantha demonstrates strong leadership globally and emerges as a focused corporate, leveraging its knowledge, leadership and operations, adding lasting value for its stakeholders and investors.

For more information on Avantha, please visit www.avanthagroup.com.
For further information, please contact:

Mrs Shravani Dang
Vice President & Group Head of Corporate Communications
Avantha Group
Thapar House, 124 Janpath
New Delhi 110001
Phone: 011 41699282
Email: s.dang@avanthagroup.com