Highlights of Economic Survey 2014-15

NEW DELHI, Feb 27:  Following are the highlights of
Economic Survey 2014-15 presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament today:
* GDP growth seen at 8.1-8.5 per cent in 2015-16
* Double digit growth trajectory; 8-10 pc GDP in coming yrs
* Inflation shows declining trend during April-December
* CAD to decline to about 1 pc in 2015-16
* To adhere to fiscal deficit target of 4.1 pc of GDP; to
Aim for 3 pc
* Committed to fiscal consolidation; to enhance revenue
Generation
* More reforms on anvil; GST, expanding direct benefit
Transfers to be game-changers.
* Foodgrains production for 2014-15 estimated at 257.07
Million tonnes; will exceed last 5-yr average by 8.5 MT
* NITI Aayog, 14th Fin Comm to enhance fiscal federalism
* External Sector returning to strength, resilience
* Need balance between ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skilling India’
* Services sector negotiations at WTO crucial for India in
Removing many market access barriers
* Revitalise PPP model to revive investment
* Manufacturing and services equally important for growth.
* Consumer inflation in 2015-16 to be between 5-5.5 pc
* Lower inflation opens up space for more monetary easing
* There is scope for big bang reforms
* Labour, capital, land, market reform and skills to be
Engines of growth
* JAM Trinity – Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar, Mobile – to help
Transfer of funds to poor without leakage
* Shield domestic industry to promote ‘Make In India’
* Borrowings to fund investment, not for meeting expenses
* Food subsidy bill in Apr-Jan up 20 pc to Rs 1.08 lakh cr
* Reform Railway’s structure, commercial practices,
Overhaul of technology
* Public investment key growth engine in short-run for
Railways, but not a substitute for private investment
* More disinvestments on the anvil in current fiscal
* Under-recoveries on petroleum products to come down to Rs
74,664 crore in 2014-15, from Rs 1.39 lakh crore in FY14
* 4Ds – Deregulation, Differentiation, Diversification,
Disinter (better bankruptcy laws) – to push financial
Sector growth
* Implementation of GST to boost GDP, exports
* Suggests medium to long term fiscal policy to target
Deficit, expenditure
* Global commodity prices to remain weak in 2015
* Ecommerce sector to witness 50 pc growth in 5 yrs. (PTI)