Demonetisation in-principle was a good move: Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan

27 Jan 2017

Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan today said demonetisation in-principle was a good move to eliminate black money but in terms of consequences it did not work.

Noting that there is a structural issue in policy making he said policy is made by politicians and executed by the administrative system and policy making should be flexible and respond to change in circumstances. (Reuters)

Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan today said demonetisation in-principle was a good move to eliminate black money but in terms of consequences it did not work. “Demonetisation in terms of the principle of it nobody can object to black money being tapped or if demonetisation is being done to make sure that black money hoarders declare their money. But in terms of the consequences you can see that it didn’t work” he said at an NCAER event here.

“Now if it didn’t work then we have to make sure what is it that we can do in its place which can actually work” he said.

Noting that there is a structural issue in policy making he said policy is made by politicians and executed by the administrative system and policy making should be flexible and respond to change in circumstances.

In actual policy making you have to be practical he added.

Talking about current global scenario he said the only thing happening is deglobalisation.

On the occasion former Finance Secretary Vijay Kelkar while giving C D Deshmukh lecture said policy making is required to address market failure improve efficiency and equity in the society. kesh Ambani Lauds Demonetisation At World Economic Forum

With regard to taxation Kelkar said it should be stable and simple which gives investors confidence to invest.

He also advocated a single GST rate as it is simple to administer.
So simplicity is the first mantra of policy making he said adding right sequencing is another important pillar of policy making.

Citing example he said exchange rate reform preceded trade reforms during the liberalisation and it succeeded.

Published in:  The Financial Express  , January 27, 2017