What is a Dollar–Rupee Swap auction?
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It’s a forex tool whereby the central bank uses its currency to buy another currency or vice versa.
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Dollar–Rupee Buy/Sell Swap: The central bank buys dollars (US dollars or USD) from banks in exchange for Indian Rupees (INR) and immediately gets into an opposite deal with banks promising to sell dollars at a later date.
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Dollar–Rupee Sell/Buy Swap: When the central bank sells dollars, it sucks out an equivalent amount in rupees, thus reducing the rupee liquidity in the system.
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These swap operations carry no exchange rate or other market risks as transaction terms are set in advance.
Why in News?
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The RBI sold USD 5.135 billion to banks and simultaneously agreed to buy back the dollars at the end of the swap settlement period.
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The intent here is that the central bank acquires dollars from the seller, charging the lowest premium possible for the two-year tenor.
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Accordingly, banks that bid at the lower range of the auction are successful at the auction.
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Assuming a dollar rate of Rs 75, the system liquidity will shrink by Rs 37,500 crore.
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Why this step is being taken?
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Reducing Liquidity: The major impact will be that liquidity which currently averages around Rs 7.6 lakh crore will shrink.
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Checking Depreciation of Indian Rupee: Dollar inflow into the market will strengthen the rupee which has already hit the 77 level against the US dollar.
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Containing Inflation: The RBI normally brings down liquidity in the system when inflation threatens to rise sharply. Inflation is set to rise due to following factors:
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Rise in Oil Prices: With crude oil prices rising sharply in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, inflation is set to rise in the coming days.
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Outflow of Institutional Investments: Foreign portfolio investors have been pulling out funds from India. They have withdrawn Rs 34,000 crore from Indian stocks in March 2022 so far, putting severe pressure on the rupee.
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