Inflation easing gradually, but still a problem: Pranab Mukherjee

22 Feb 2013 Evaluate

Feeling the pressure of high inflation and slower growth, President Pranab Mukherjee said, though inflation is easing gradually, it is still a problem. However, the President expressed confidence on both fronts. Coming down to three-year low level, inflation based on wholesale price index (WPI) stood at 6.62% in January. 

While addressing the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament for the first time, Mukherjee said, ‘inflation is easing gradually, but is still a problem.’ However, he did mention that in recent months, there had been positive developments, too, with the moderation in core inflation.

On the declining economic growth, he said, both global and domestic factors have affected our growth. We need to address the impact of both. The government so far has responded to the situation by taking several measures to revive investment activity and investor sentiment. For 2012-13, GDP growth is estimated to fall to a decade low of 5% from 6.2% in 2011-12.

Regarding the 8% average annual growth target for the 12th Plan, the President said, ‘the 12th Plan recognizes that growth outcomes will depend upon the extent to which we are able to take some difficult decisions’. He also admitted that the past year had been a very difficult one for the entire global economy.

Further, pointing out that lack of adequate and quality infrastructure as a major hurdle to growth, he said it was imperative that the infrastructure deficit was overcome and adequate investment takes place. For 12th plan, investments in the infrastructure sector have been pegged at around $1 trillion, with the share of private participation in the total investment projected at 47%.

On the widening fiscal gap, he said the government had announced a roadmap for fiscal consolidation and would contain the fiscal deficit to 5.3% of the GDP in the current financial year. As a part of the roadmap, the government intends to bring the fiscal deficit to 4.8% in 2013-14, before limiting it at 3% by 2016-17. 

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