<h1>Finance Minister Optimistic About RBI Policy Boosting Growth; Repo Rate Steady at 8.50%, Focus on Curbing Speculation.</h1> The Finance Minister expressed optimism that the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) recent monetary policy announcements would help restore growth momentum for the remainder of the 2011-12 fiscal year. He welcomed the RBI's commitment to curbing speculative activities in the foreign exchange market, which have contributed to the rupee's depreciation. The RBI has shifted from monetary tightening to a pause, maintaining the repo rate at 8.50%. The Finance Minister noted a decline in food inflation and emphasized the need to boost business sentiment and growth, despite persistent inflation in manufactured goods.