Credit Control by RBI
Credit control is a vital function of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) aimed at regulating the volume of credit and guiding the overall economic activity.
Quantitative Methods
RBI employs quantitative tools to manage the amount of credit available in the economy:
1. Bank Rate Policy: This is the rate at which the RBI lends to commercial banks. Adjusting this rate influences borrowing costs for banks and ultimately for consumers.
2. Open Market Operations: RBI buys or sells government securities in the open market to control the money supply. Buying securities injects liquidity, whereas selling securities withdraws liquidity from the market.
3. Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): This is the percentage of deposits that banks must maintain as reserves with the RBI. Higher CRR means less money available for banks to lend.
Qualitative Methods
In addition to quantitative measures, RBI also uses qualitative methods to manage credit:
1. Moral Suasion: The RBI advises and persuades banks to adopt certain policies to ensure credit control without direct intervention.
2. Credit Rationing: This involves limiting the amount of credit available to certain sectors deemed less desirable for lending.
3. Direct Action: RBI can impose restrictions on banks that do not comply with its guidelines on lending.
Understanding these methods is crucial for grasping how the RBI influences monetary policy and economic stability.