New Delhi: The finance ministry delivered a report on the state of Asia's third-largest economy on Wednesday, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new government presents its first budget.
The annual report was prepared by Ila Patnaik, a well-respected economist who was appointed as senior economic advisor to the finance ministry in April.
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 pct in 2014/15.
* Downward risk to economic growth due to poor monsoon, external factors.
INFLATION
* 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
* Rationalization 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
FOREX MARKET
* Intervention in forex market by Reserve Bank of India is behind accumulation of reserves "generally"
The annual report was prepared by Ila Patnaik, a well-respected economist who was appointed as senior economic advisor to the finance ministry in April.
Following are highlights of the report:
* India needs sharp fiscal correction
Advertisement
* Need for subsidy reforms for fiscal consolidation
Advertisement
* Shortfall in revenues can be contained through better mobilisation and reforms
Advertisement
GROWTH
Advertisement
* Downward risk to economic growth due to poor monsoon, external factors.
Advertisement
* 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
* Rationalization 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
FOREX MARKET
* Intervention in forex market by Reserve Bank of India is behind accumulation of reserves "generally"
© Thomson Reuters 2014
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Not Rohit Sharma Or Virat Kohli: This Young India Batter Keeps Nathan Lyon 'Awake At Night' Gautam Gambhir Press Conference Live Updates: India Head Coach On Rohit, Kohli And More Virat Kohli Asks Gautam Gambhir About On-Field Altercations, Left Stumped By His Reply 3 Grams Of Explosives Per Pager: Israel's Complex Op To Hurt Hezbollah What Is A Pager And Why Hezbollah Still Relies On This Outdated Device "Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines' New Memo For Flight Attendants Sri Lanka Polls: Frontrunners, What's At Stake, Implications For India 2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Review: Fortified for the Family! Opinion | Should We Be Worried About Unemployable Human Bots? Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.