Govt to restrain fiscal deficit at 5.3% in FY13

09 Nov 2012 Evaluate

In conjunction with various measures to rejuvenate the economic growth of the nation, the Economic affairs secretary Arvind Mayaram, has confirmed that the Centre is planning to curb the fiscal deficit to 5.3% this financial year. The plans to rein in deficit to 5.3% emerged on optimism that it can raise more fund through selling stocks of top state-run companies and by curtailing unwanted expenditures.

The peaking fiscal deficit was concerning the government after the stock sales in state-run units had failed to takeoff as expected, while direct taxes mop up continue to be modest and as revenue from 2G spectrum auctions may be much below estimated Rs 30,000 crore. However, Mayaram has expressed confidence that the aggressive measures to contain fiscal deficit will see desired results.

In the budget for this financial year, the government had projected fiscal deficit of 5.1%. Fiscal deficit is the gap between government revenues and expenses that is met through the borrowings. Mayaram also pointed out that, with this directive the centre might also pare down subsidies on food, fertilizers and oil products given out annually in cash and kind. The centre might also have to borrow an additional Rs 20,000 crore, from the envisaged Rs 570,000 crore borrowings to attain 5.3% in deficit.

During April-October 2012, fiscal deficit has registered to Rs 3.37 crore that translates to 65.6%, while direct taxes collection marked 6.9% growth at Rs 3.02 lakh crore. Mayaram’s proposal on disinvestment programme has come up after the centre had deferred on 12.5% stake sale in Nalco and had postponed it reasoning performance related issues. While the Centre has decided to push on disinvestment of stocks in companies like Oil India, MMTC, Hindustan Copper, SAIL and NMDC to mobilize targeted non-tax revenue of Rs 30,000 crore.

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