Rising FII inflow: No cause for worry, says Finmin

The finance ministry on Wednesday said the surge in foreign capital inflow in the country, powered by initial recovery in the global economy, is not a cause for concern at present and no specific action is required to arrest it.

Foreign institutional investor inflows into the securities markets have turned positive after being hit by the global meltdown. FIIs bought stocks worth about Rs 75,000 crore (Rs 750 billion) this fiscal so far, after taking out around Rs 37,520 crore (Rs 375.20 billion) from Indian stock markets a year ago.

"As of now, it is not a cause for concern. We don't see any need for any specific action in this regard," finance secretary Ashok Chawla told reporters.

He said the government as well as Sebi and RBI are monitoring the situation closely.

"We are watching the situation while the Reserve Bank and the Securities Exchange Board of India are seeing what is happening in terms of inflows and equity markets," Chawla said.

Chawla's comments came amidst growing call for action by exporters as an appreciating rupee has hit their competitiveness at a time when they are battered by slackening demand overseas due to the global meltdown.

Increase in foreign money inflow has led to rupee appreciating 8.24 per cent against the dollar this fiscal to date.