Implementation of food security bill to bring additional fiscal pressure: FICCI

22 Jul 2013 Evaluate

A Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI) Economic Outlook Survey has cautioned that implementing the proposed food security bill will bring additional fiscal pressure and push up the fiscal deficit to five per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the current financial year. The survey stated that “...it will impose an additional pressure on the fiscal situation and would make fiscal sustainability plan of the country difficult to achieve”. Adding that the expected fiscal deficit to GDP ratio may come at 5 percent for 2013-14, slightly above the budgeted 4.8 percent.

Though, the survey respondents were of the view that India’s GDP will grow by around 6 percent in FY14, with the first quarter growth in the range of 5 percent. Respondents expect IIP to grow at a moderately faster pace of 3.3 percent in FY14 vis-a-vis 1.1 percent growth witnessed last year. However, the survey also indicated that passive industrial performance, elevated current account deficit and a depreciating rupee might dampen growth prospects if adequate supportive action was not taken.

The respondents indicated inflation would remain favourable as price levels were expected to remain subdued, although currency volatility could have an adverse impact though the rupee-dollar exchange rate is expected to touch 56 by the end of March 2014. Further, it said that depreciating rupee will impact the widening CAD.

The survey participants said that cut in the key policy rate would be crucial to get growth back on track and asked the RBI to cut the key policy rates to boost the economic growth. A majority of the participating economists anticipated a 50-75 basis points cut in repo rate by end of this fiscal year, and said that a fall in repo rate will give elbow room for banks to reduce deposits as well as lending rates.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×