Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das identified the significance of debt sustainability of state governments and examined their market borrowings at the 33rd conference of state finance secretaries in Mumbai. "He emphasized on the need for the states to focus on fiscal consolidation, enhancing quality of expenditure and other issues related to the fiscal health of states such as contingent liabilities/guarantees, etc," the RBI said in a release.

Apart from market borrowing, the meeting reviewed administration of the consolidated sinking fund and guarantee redemption fund, matters pertaining to state government guarantees and short-term financial accommodation to states from the RBI. The review comes at a time when state government borrowings have risen sharply, with state bond issuances so far this fiscal year outstripping the previous year's quantum by more than Rs 60,000 crore.

ED Appointment

RBI has appointed P Vasudevan as executive director effective from July 3. He will look after the department of currency management, corporate strategy, budget and enforcement departments at RBI. As CGM Vasudevan was in-charge of the department of payment and settlement systems. He holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and is a fellow of the Institute of Cost Cccountants of India.