SME Times News Bureau | 01 Sep, 2015
The Indian economy logged 7 percent growth in the first quarter of the
this fiscal, according to figures released on Monday, showing signs of
slowing vis-a-vis the 7.5 percent expansion in the quarter before. This
generated mixed reaction from the industry stakeholders.
Jyotsna Suri, president, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said Even
though growth of 7 percent is encouraging in the current global
economic scenario, we need to move this figure up given the imperative
of employment generation.
As global demand situation is weak, domestic
demand needs to be strengthened. Both consumption and investment levers
need a thrust, she added.
In his reaction director general of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Chandrajit Banerjee said that the
impressive 7 percent GDP growth at the onset of the first quarter of
the current fiscal, which is higher than 6.7 percent experienced in the
same period last year, bolsters the perception that the economy is
showing signs of a turnaround and is on the road to recovery.
Rana Kapoor, president, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, said, "Agriculture,
mining, manufacturing, electricity, gas, water supply and other utility
services remain to be key areas of concern as the gross value added for
all these sectors has slowed down in first quarter of 2015-16 vis-a-vis
first quarter of 2014-15, though some progress is seen in trade, hotels
and communications and construction sectors."
Devendra Kumar Pant, chief economist, India Ratings & Research said, First
quarter GDP growth came in line with our forecast of 7 percent. The
dismal electricity sector performance pulled down first quarter 2015-16
industrial growth to 6.5 percent from 7.7 percent. GDP growth this year
will be led by consumption growth (backed by falling inflation and
monetary easing), investment growth revival will take place once
capacity utilisation starts increasing. Weak global demand also
attributed to lower growth in first quarter.
Chief economist & vice president of Research at ZyFin Research, Debopam Chaudhuri said, the
GDP growth estimates are in line with expectations. We don't see any
significant recovery over the next two quarters with economic activity
slumping further. Private consumption continues to remain less than 60
percent of the GDP suggesting low aggregate demand conditions.
K Sandeep Nayak, executive director & CEO, Centrum Broking, said that the
GDP growth rate of 7 percent is a tad below expectations. However, a 7
percent growth is still the fast lane in comparison to the growth rates
being achieved in other comparable economies of the world or for that
matter the developed world.
This data read together with a benign CPI we
had earlier this month increases the probabilty of rate cut by RBI in
the policy due later this month.