Montek pitches for withdrawal of stimulus in up coming budget
Montek pitches for withdrawal of stimulus in up coming budget
New Delhi: Expressing satisfaction at the 7.2% growth estimates for this fiscal, the Planning Commission today pitched for phased withdrawal of stimulus in the forthcoming budget to be unveiled by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on 26 February.
“We should say the stimulus has succeeded and we should begin to phase it down. Fiscal deficit next year would be lower than that of this year," Commission’s deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said.
In order to help the industry combat the impact of global financial crisis, the government had provided three stimulus packages to the industry resulting in a revenue sacrifice of Rs1.86 lakh crore.
The stimulus, which included tax cuts and raising public expenditure, is expected to push up the fiscal deficit to 6.8% of GDP during 2009-10 from 6.2% a year ago.
“Industry looks at that part of the stimulus which affects them," Ahluwalia said, adding the real issue is the growing fiscal deficit which needed to be curtailed.
While arguing for withdrawal of incentives provided to the industry, he said, “the economy is back on seven plus% growth path...The economy is expected to grow at over 8% next fiscal".
The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) on Monday pegged the economic growth for current fiscal at 7.2%, up from 6.7% a year ago.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!