Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Economic Survey 2013-14: top highlights



Reuters  |  New Delhi  
 Last Updated at 12:49 IST

Survey says price rise remains an issue, calls for overhaul of subsidy regime

The  pegged FY15  growth at 5.4-5.9%, saying that price rise remained a cause for worry, while calling for a complete rehaul of the subsidy regime and increasing  revenues. Following are highlights of the report:
 
FISCAL DEFICIT
 
* India needs sharp fiscal correction
 
* Fiscal situation of the central government is worse than it appears
 
* Need for subsidy reforms for fiscal consolidation
 
* Recommends raising tax-to-GDP ratio for fiscal consolidation
 
* Shortfall in revenues can be contained through better mobilisation and reforms
 
* External debt remains within manageable limits
 
GROWTH
 
* GDP growth seen at 5.4-5.9% in 2014/15.
 
* Downward risk to economic growth due to poor monsoon, external factors.
 
 
* Wholesale Price Index (WPI)inflation expected to moderate by end-2014
 
* Government needs to move towards low and stable inflation through fiscal consolidation
 
* Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation showing signs of moderation
 
* Needs to create a competitive national market for food
 
SUBSIDIES
 
* Rationalisation of subsidies such as fertilizer and food essential
 
* Need to shift subsidy programme from price subsidies to income support
 
TAXATION
 
* Government needs to move towards simple tax regime, fewer tax exemptions, single rate of goods and services tax

Economic Survey 2014: GDP growth seen at 5.4-5.9% in FY15

Economic Survey 2014: GDP growth seen at 5.4-5.9% in FY15
The annual economic survey said the government must ensure a low and stable inflation rate through fiscal consolidation, establishing a monetary policy framework and creating a competitive national market for food. Photo: Mint
Asit Ranjan Mishra  : Live Mint : 9 July 2014

The survey emphasizes on reviving investments by improving long term-growth prospects
New Delhi: The Indian economy is expected to expand between 5.4% and 5.9% in 2014-15, faster than the sub-5% growth in the past two fiscal years, according to the Economic Survey 2014 released by the Narendra Modi-led government on Wednesday.
The survey emphasized on reviving investments by improving long term-growth prospects. “For this, reforms are needed on three fronts: creating a framework for sustained low and stable inflation, setting public finances on a sustainable path by tax and expenditure reform, and creating the legal and regulatory framework for a well-functioning market economy,” it added.
The survey said the government must ensure a low and stable inflation rate through fiscal consolidation, establishing a monetary policy framework, and creating a competitive national market for food. “Initiation of reforms on these fronts will reduce inflation uncertainty and restore a stable business environment. Further lower inflationary expectations would increase domestic household financial saving and make resources available for investment,” it added.
To put public finances on a sustainable path, the survey said India needs sharp fiscal correction, a new Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act with teeth, better accounting practices, greater transparency and improved budgetary management. “Improvements on both tax and expenditure are needed to obtain high quality fiscal adjustment. The tax regime must be simple, predictable and stable. This requires a single-rate goods and services tax (GST), fewer exemptions in direct taxes, and a transformation of tax administration,” it said.
The survey said reforming government expenditure would involve three elements: shifting subsidy programmes away from price subsidies to income support, a change in the focus of government spending towards provision of public goods, and a focus on outcomes through an improvement in systems of accountability. “A focus on health and education outcomes, rather than inputs and expenditure must be a priority,” it said.
To put in place the legal foundations of a well-functioning market economy for India, the government needs to remove existing restrictions where there is no market failure and building state capacity to allow businesses to operate in a stable environment. “This will help improve the ease of doing business. While product markets have seen reform in India, there is a pressing need to reform factor markets such as those for land, labour and capital. Reforming the financial sector would involve reducing financial repression through which the state usurps a large share of household financial savings, financial sector regulatory reform and changing the laws and regulations governing the flow of foreign capital into India,” it said.

Economic Survey 2014: 6 interesting facts you may not know about India’s economy

Economic Survey 2014: Six interesting facts you may not know about India’s economy 
First post  9 July 14

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today tabled India's economic survey for the year 2013-2014. While the survey highlights the state of the economy, here are some interesting data points that will surprise you.
1. Milk production touches a record high of 132.43 mt in 2012-13:  India recorded a peak production of milk at 132.43 mt in the year 2012-13,  according to the Economic Survey for 2013-14, released in Parliament today. India ranks first in global milk production and accounts for 17 percent of world production.
2. India ranks second in world fish production, contributing about 5.4% of global fish production. It is also a major producer of fish through aquaculture. The sector contributes about 1 percent to overall GDP and represents 4.6% of agricultural GDP.
3 .India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables. The country is the largest producer of mango, banana, coconut, cashew, papaya, and pomegranate; and the largest producer and exporter of spices. India ranks first in the productivity of grapes, banana, cassava, and papaya.  India also saw a record food grains, oil seeds and pulses production in the year 2013-14.
4. India has the second fastest growing services sector with a CAGR of 9%, second only to China. Services constitute a whopping 57 percent share in GDP at factor cost in 2013-14. Also, the size of domestic tourism has also crossed an estimated 1.1 billion annual travel visits.
5. India’s per capita carbon emissions increased from 0.8 metric tons to 1.7 metric tons in 2010, well below the world average of 4.9 metric tons in 2010.
6. India's performance in schooling is even worse than Pakistan. India's performance in mean years of schooling (4.4 years) is even below that of Bangladesh and Pakistan, which have lower per capita income.