The Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) is a mechanism used by commercial banks to provide credit to the government. Let's delve into the details:
Definition: SLR is a requirement where banks maintain a specific percentage of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) in liquid assets. These liquid assets include cash, gold, or government securities.
Purpose: The primary purpose of SLR is to ensure the solvency of banks and to compel them to invest in government securities.
Mechanism: By mandating banks to hold a certain percentage of their resources in government securities, the SLR provides a ready source of capital for the government, facilitating the financing of fiscal deficits.
Conclusion: Among the given options, Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) is the correct term indicating the mechanism by which commercial banks provide credit to the government.