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Synopsis – The Union government rolls back interest cut on small saving schemes interest rates, blaming the decision on an oversight.
Introduction –
- The finance ministry has reversed its decision to cut interest rates on small savings accounts, citing an error.
- Reversing a rate cut of up to 110 basis points (1.1 percentage points) announced the day before.
- Interest rates on savings deposits have been cut from 4% to 3.5%. The rate of interest in PPF was cut from 7.1% to 6.4.
Reason for the sudden withdrawal of an order
- Due to the elections– The government is attempting to contain the implications of a decision that will affect ordinary citizens in the upcoming elections in West Bengal, Assam, and three other states.
Impact of sudden withdrawing of orders –
- Negative effect on the picture of the bureaucracy’s working – The abrupt rollback decision would damage the bureaucracy’s image.
- Bank aspect- The rollback would make the government’s annual borrowing program of 12.05 lakh crore more difficult. Because the central bank has complained about high small savings rates as a barrier to lower interest rates.
Way forward-
Any deviation or reversal from routine administrative decisions should be scrutinised by the Election Commission
Source – The Hindu
