India ‘deeply disappointed’ by lack of IMF reforms

India has expressed deep disappointment that the International Monetary Fund has failed to implement quota and governance reforms that would give India a greater say in the global crisis lender to reflect the country's growing economic might.

"We are greatly disappointed that the 2010 Quota and Governance Reforms have not become effective in spite of the strong support of the global community for the reform," finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday in his address to the International Monetary and Financial Committee.

"We are also concerned that we have not made any headway in the forward looking elements of the 15th Review, including the review of the quota formula and the initiation of the discussions on the Review," he said.

Jaitley said governance reforms are required to ensure the International Monetary Fund's credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness.

"They are also most imperative to maintain its relevance. They, therefore, should not be deferred indefinitely," the minister said, urging the members who have not yet ratified the 2010 Quota and Governance Reforms to do so at the earliest.

The IMF quota reforms seek to provide greater say to emerging economies like India and China, where the US and large European countries command high influence.

The 2010 reforms were originally propelled by Washington, and President Barack Obama's White House has repeatedly endorsed them. But the US Congress has refused to sign the deal, with some legislators not wanting to contribute more money to the IMF and others concerned about any erosion to the dominant US role in the fund.

In the interregnum, the IMF Executive Board should work expeditiously to complete its work to make meaningful progress in the key areas covered by the 2010 Quota and Governance Reforms pending their full implementation, Jaitley said.

"Among the options being considered, we believe that the delinking option remains the most desirable option since it is the nearest in form and substance to the 2010 reform package," he said.

The ad hoc option would reduce the incentive to implement the reforms in full, he said, adding it is important to begin work in earnest on the 15th Review so that it can be completed by 15 December 2015.

"The continuance of such momentum in the IMF governance and quota reforms is essential to maintain the effectiveness, credibility and relevance of the IMF as a multilateral quota-based institution, which reflects adequately changes in the global economy in a dynamic framework," he said.

In his address Jaitley said many emerging market economies have benefited from the sharp decline in oil prices, saying it provides a window to implement energy reforms, phase out subsidies and build fiscal buffers wherever macroeconomic conditions permit.