Will uphold autonomy of RBI, says new Governor Shaktikanta Das

New Delhi: After taking charge as the new RBI Governor on Wednesday, Shaktikanta Das said that he will try and uphold professionalism, core values, credibility and autonomy of this institution.

“It’s an honour and great opportunity to serve RBI. I will try my best to work with everyone and work in the interest of Indian economy,” Das told reporters in his first press conference after taking charge as the RBI Chief.

Das, a member of the 15th Finance Commission and former Economic Affairs Secretary, was on Tuesday appointed as RBI Governor, a day after Urjit Patel announced his sudden resignation. He retired as Economic Affairs secretary last year and was subsequently made a member of the 15th Finance Commission. Das, who becomes 25th governor of the RBI, is a former IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.

Das would also have to deal with the government's request to ease the liquidity of certain sectors and relax norms to boost lending so as to spur growth and create jobs.

Briefing reporters, he said, "I have convened a meeting with CEOs and MDs of public sector banks tomorrow morning .Banking is an important segment in our economy and it is facing several challenges that need to be dealt with. It's the banking sector on which I’d like to focus immediately."

Das also said that the crucial meeting of the RBI Board where government nominee directors were expected to push the central bank on governance issues will take place as planned on December 14.