May 7, 20212 min read

RBI Gov announces ₹50,000 Crore 'on tap liquidity' to fight the second wave of Covid 19

In a bid to provide liquidity support and strengthen the public in general in their fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das today announced 'on tap liquidity' to the public in general. The loan will be available at the RBI's Repo Rate, i.e. 4 percent. The tenor of the loan will be up to 3 years and on tap loan will be available till 31st March 2022.

"To boost the provision of immediate liquidity for ramping up COVID-related healthcare infrastructure and services in the country, and on-tap liquidity window of ₹50,000 crores with tenors of up to three years at the repo rate is being opened till March 31, 2022," RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said.

Under the scheme, banks can provide fresh lending support to a wide range of entities including vaccine manufacturers; importers/suppliers of vaccines and priority medical devices; hospitals/dispensaries; pathology labs; manufacturers and suppliers of oxygen and ventilators; importers of vaccines and COVID related drugs; logistics firms and also patients for treatment.

The RBI Governor made the announcement while delivering his virtual speech. He said that the global economic outlook is uncertain but the Covid-19 impact on national inflation is comparatively lower than the first wave. Shaktikanta Das also said that India's manufacturing sector is one of the least affected sectors and expected fast recovery in the national economy once the pandemic stabilizes.

Before this address, Governor Shaktikanta Das reportedly met with bankers and shadow lenders and discussed the current economic situation, potential stress to balance sheets, credit flows, and liquidity.

The RBI has augmented fiscal support measures from Modi Government with loan holidays and cash infusion by cutting interest rates. The Central Bank of India has pledged to keep monetary policy loose though its room to act has been constrained by inflation concerns.