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Press Conference by Secretaries, Ministry of Finance
October, 05th 2015
                          PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
                             GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
                                     *****

Press Conference by Secretaries, Ministry of Finance

                                                           New Delhi, October 5, 2015
                                                                     Asvina 13, 1937

      As we complete the first half of the financial year 2015-16, it is time to step
back and take stock of what we have achieved on the economic front, and what we
need to do to consolidate the gains we have made.

       Despite the global slowdown and declining export demand, India has
emerged as the fastest growing major economy in the world. While the government
continues to implement its reform agenda, the economy should over time realize its 8
percent plus growth potential. With supportive policies in place, India is emerging as
a strong growth driver for the world economy, capable of sustaining economic growth
through its own momentum.

        Inflation has been decisively brought down: the headline CPI inflation is within
the target zone, WPI inflation has been negative for ten consecutive months, and
core inflation has shown signs of moderation too. The outlook for inflation is also
good, as indicated by the RBI in its latest monetary policy review. Despite the
uncertain monsoon, government food management, including use of the price
stabilization fund to augment domestic supplies with imports, will ensure that food
inflation is contained. The government and the RBI will work together to consolidate
the gains achieved in inflation control, through the inflation targeting framework and
the associated institutional arrangements.

        Our macro-fundamentals remain strong. The twin deficits, fiscal and current
account, have been reduced. The Government is committed to achieving this year's
fiscal deficit target as well as the fiscal glide path laid out in the budget. The Indian
economy - based on a foundation of macro-economic stability, sizable foreign
exchange reserves, and on creating the conditions for investment opportunities - is
now better placed to handle external shocks. As a net oil importer, the global
environment is also throwing up some opportunities for the Indian economy.






       To support the economy, RBI has already announced a 50 bps cut in the
policy rate, bringing the cumulative support of monetary policy to 125 basis points
this calendar year. This should boost confidence and investment, and help shore up
corporate balance sheets. The government will play its part to ensure the benefits of
accommodative monetary policy are transmitted to the economy at large.

       Through systematic work we have been restructuring the expenditure side of
the budget over the last one year. While many commentators expressed doubt, we
have simultaneously achieved 10 percent increase in tax devolution to the States,
achieved over 30 percent increase in the Plan Cap-Ex, and yet, adhered to the fiscal
glide path outlined in the Budget. We continue to work together on rationalizing
central sector schemes and programmes in run up to the Union Budget 2016-17. To
give adequate time to the Ministries/Departments to reform their financial processes,
this year the pre-budget exercise has been advanced by two months to ensure
structural reforms on the expenditure side can be completed in time for the Union
Budget 2016-17.

        On subsidy reforms- diesel, petrol and LPG now sell at market prices
throughout the country. Consistent with its commitment to deregulation, the
government has allowed two-way variability of petroleum pump prices. A cash
subsidy is payable to LPG customers under the PAHAL scheme. Nutrient Based
Subsidy regime has now stabilized for mixed (P&K) fertilizers and neem coating has
been made mandatory for subsidized urea to check its diversion to industrial use.
Digitisation and aadhaar seeding of Public Distribution System is being pursued all
over the country to lay the foundation for next generation of PDS reforms along the
lines of the JAM trinity outlined in the Economic Survey 2015-16. Overall,
expenditure on major subsidies as a percentage of GDP has come down from 2.5
percent of GDP in 2012-13 to 1.6 percent of GDP in 2015-16.

       While much progress has been made in the power sector over the last one
and a half year, the financial health of Dis-coms has received the highest attention of
the Government. We are working with the Power Ministry and the States to find a
lasting solution to this problem, in a manner that ensures the gains of fiscal
consolidation made over the 12th and 13th Finance Commission periods are
maintained, while preparing a financial restructuring plan that incentivizes Dis-coms
to generate more revenues, and close the gap between average cost of supply and
the revenues raised on sustained basis.

        The collection of direct and indirect taxes in the current year has been
encouraging so far. If no other externality hits us, we are hopeful of achieving the
total taxation target with possibility of a minor shortfall of around 5 percent within the
total target of Rs. 14.5 lakh crore. The tax collections figure can be taken as a
positive index of growth in demand in the economy.

    We are trying hard to sort out legacy cases of tax demands raised retrospectively
through mutually beneficial solutions. Our broad approach to taxation is as follows:

       Non-adversarial (less litigations)
       Lower tax burden and fewer exemptions
       Strengthening mechanisms for Advance Pricing Agreements, Authority for
       Advance Rulings and Settlement Commission
       Minimum direct interface of assesses with tax administration by using more
       and more, the facilities of e-filing, e-processing, e-refunds etc.
       Simplification of laws, rules and notifications.

       GOI has also taken some decisive steps in the past few months to support
improvements in the functioning and profitability of public sector banks. The
Government has undertaken a set of reforms to address both systemic and
governance issues, which include revamping the process of selection of directors on
the boards of public sector banks, laying of a road-map for a transparent and
objective selection process for directors, separation of the post of non-executive
Chairman and Managing Directors, etc. On the capital side, an assessment of capital
requirements for the next four years has been made and a plan has been put in
place to ensure that PSBs remain adequately capitalized. To improve accountability,
a comprehensive framework has been put in place in which banks are required to
achieve specified quantifiable targets.






       Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) aims to provide easier access to low
cost credit through the formal banking system, to existing as well as new micro
enterprises in the informal sector. The objective is to enhance livelihoods, and
mainstream borrowers by linking them with the banking system. Loans up to Rs. 50
thousand, 5 lakh and 10 lakh may be advanced based on the micro- project's needs.
From April 2015 till date, 43.55 lakh loans have been disbursed by banks, amounting
to Rs. 26,580 crore, with the sanctioned amount being Rs. 28,496 crore. Loans are
being extended at a rate of interest below 12%, without collateral requirements, and
application formalities have been kept simple. The campaign was intensified in
September, and the focus continues, with the objective of creating a more supportive
climate for self-employment.

        Infrastructure spending has picked up on the back of accelerated government
spending on highways, railways and the power sector. As already mentioned, the
Plan Cap-EX has increased by over 30 percent this year. This is beginning to crowd-
in private investment, and the public private partnership projects which had stalled
are also now picking up. We are in the process of setting up a National Infrastructure
Investment Fund that will channelize both domestic and foreign resources to satisfy
the infrastructure needs of our economy.

      To summarize, our macro-fundamentals remain strong. We are now better
placed to handle unforeseen external shocks, and to put India firmly on the path of
economic recovery and inclusive prosperity.


                                        *****

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