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The lowering of Bank Rate by the Reserve Bank of India leads to
Explanation
The Bank Rate is the standard rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is prepared to buy or rediscount bills of exchange or other commercial papers [1]. It serves as a fundamental tool for controlling the money supply and managing inflation. When the RBI lowers the Bank Rate, it reduces the cost of borrowing for commercial banks from the central bank. This reduction in borrowing costs makes it cheaper for financial institutions to acquire funds, encouraging them to lower their own lending rates for customers and businesses. Consequently, cheaper credit stimulates spending and investment, leading to an expansion of the money supply and an increase in overall liquidity within the market. While the Bank Rate is currently aligned with the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) and used for penal purposes, its reduction fundamentally signals an expansionary monetary stance aimed at infusing liquidity [1].
Sources
- [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 2: Money and Banking- Part I > The following are the major instruments/tools that RBI uses for conducting its monetary policy: > p. 62