Shaktikanta Das, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, discusses economic recovery, bitcoin, and the privatisation of state-owned banks, among other topics.

 On Thursday, Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das expressed confidence that the new wave of coronavirus infections would have no impact on the economy's recovery, reiterating the RBI's recent 10.5 percent growth forecast for the fiscal year ahead. The RBI governor's assurance is significant in light of growing concerns about new COVID-19 infections and the resulting lockdowns in many cities.

"Revival of economic activity should continue unabated, and I don't see a downward revision in RBI's 10.5 percent growth estimate for FY22," Das said at a conclave, adding that he does not expect a repeat of the country's nationwide lockdown last year, according to a PTI report.

Despite the fact that infections are on the rise in many parts of the country, with Mumbai's financial nerve centre recording the highest daily count to date in 2021 at over 5,000 on Wednesday, the governor said he does not expect nationwide lockdowns.

Cryptocurrencies-

In regards to cryptocurrencies, he said that the RBI has raised major issues with the government, which is still being investigated. "I don't believe there is a difference of opinion on cryptocurrencies between the RBI and the government," he said.

State-owned banks are being privatised-

In response to the government's plan to privatise more state-owned banks, he said the central bank is in talks with the government and that the process will move forward.

According to the paper, with government borrowing at record highs, soaring yields, and the Centre cancelling the last round of benchmark security auctions worth Rs 20,000 crore on Monday, Das said there is no clash between the central bank and the bond market and called for a non-competitive partnership.