GDP Driver’s
- Indian Economy grew at 8.2 Percent in April – June quarter of 2018-19 on strong performance of manufacturing and agriculture sector’s increasing its lead over china to remain the world’s fastest major economy.
- According to the government data, the GDP at constant prices had grown at 5.6% in the April – June quarter of last fiscal.
- The Previous high quarterly GDP growth was recorded in January – March of 2015-16 at 9.3%.
- India’s GVA of the quarter under consideration has been estimated at 8% also the CSO said that manufacturing activities expand at the rate of 13.5% in the quarter under review.
Reasons for the Robust growth:
- The Growth rate post – demonetisation and GST has shown a steady pace quarter to quarter because of the following reasons
- Heavy government spending, especially state governments on infrastructure and government spending on Utility services (Providing electricity, construction of houses).
- Agriculture showing a positive sign of revival with a growth rate of 5.3% will in turn benefit the manufacturing sector and expand it.
- Manufacturing in this quarter also grew at consistent rate.
- FDI inflows along with consumption expenditure is good.
Areas of Concern:
- The future prospects depend upon the certainty of following factor’s
- Private investment remains in certain both from domestic and foreign.
- Externalities from Trade war between two economic giants the USA and China and retreat of USA as a global engine of growth and china not ready to take this ride.
- Widening current account deficit, which has resulted due to costly imports of goods like Crude oil and Gold and Jewellery.
- The Depreciation of rupee has made import costlier and no significant strides from exports.
- The Widening of fiscal deficit due to excessive government spending.
- The Upcoming year is an election year and there are every chances of policy paralysis which could halt the growth momentum.
Way Ahead:
- Focusing on improving exports especially from agricultural products which has an evergreen demand, will boost export and employment.
- Labour reforms should be initiated example the world’s largest Samsung plant faced protests from its worker’s
- NPA reforms and resolution holds the key for reviving private investments so it should be fast tracked.
- Reducing some imports, which are unwanted like some Jewellery will help contain current account deficit.
- Fast Tracking the Process of divestments and addressing the exit problem will set the growth rate.