Showing posts with label BUDGET. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BUDGET. Show all posts

Friday, February 26, 2016

Highlights of Economic Survey 2015-16:

Indian economy would grow by between 7.0 per cent and 7.75 per cent in the 2016-17 fiscal year that starts on April 1.

Fiscal Deficit 
  • 2016-17 expected to be challenging from fiscal point of view; time is right for a review of medium-term fiscal framework
  • 2015-16 fiscal deficit, seen at 3.9 per cent of GDP, seems achievable
  • Credibility and optimality argue for adhering to 3.5 per cent of GDP fiscal deficit target

Inflation 
  • CPI inflation seen around 4.5 to 5 per cent in 2016-17
  • Low inflation has taken hold, confidence in price stability has improved
  • Expect RBI to meet 5 per cent inflation target by March 2017
  • Prospect of lower oil prices over medium term likely to dampen inflationary expectations

Current Account Deficit 2016/17 current account deficit seen around 1-1.5 per cent of GDP

Currency 
  • Rupee's value must be fair, avoid strengthening; fair value can be achieved through monetary relaxation
  • India needs to prepare itself for a major currency readjustment in Asia in wake of a similar adjustment in China
  • Rupee's gradual depreciation can be allowed if capital inflows are weak

Banking & Corporate Sector 
  • Estimated capital requirement for banks around 1.8 trillion rupees by 2018-19
  • Proposes to make 700 billion rupees available via budgetary allocations during current and succeeding years in banks
  • Government could sell off certain non-financial companies to infuse capital in state-run banks
  • Corporate, bank balance sheets remain stretched, affecting prospects for reviving private investments
  • Underlying stressed assets in corporate sector must be sold or rehabilitated

Taxes 
  • Tax revenue expected to be higher than budgeted levels in 2015-16
  • Proposes widening tax net from 5.5 per cent of earning individuals to more than 20 per cent
  • Favours review and phasing out of tax exemptions; easiest way to widen the tax base not to raise exemption thresholds

For more details on the Economic Survey 2015-16: Click here

Friday, March 16, 2012

Economic Survey of India 2011-12: Highlights

The economic survey 2011-12 was presented in the parliament by the Finance Minister Pranab Mukharjee on 14 March 2012. According to the economic survey 2011-12 the Indian GDP pegged at 6.9% in the fiscal year 2010-11. Figure for the agriculture, services and industry sector stood at 2.5%, 9.4% and 4-5% respectively. The survey, which is presented annually by the Ministry of Finance, of government of India, maintained that the Indian economy despite global slowdown remained exuberant and was among the fastest growing economies of the world.

Given below are the highlights of economic survey 2011-12

•    Growth Rate is estimated to be 6.9%. Outlook for growth and stability is promising as the real GDP growth expected to pick up to 7.6% in 2012-13 and 8.6% in 2013-14.
•    At 2.5 %, Agri sector performed well. Services sector grew by 9.4 %, its share in GDP grew up to 59%.
•    Industrial sector growth stood at 4-5 %
•    Inflation on WPI which was on a upward trajectory in the initial part of the year witnessed a sharp slow down by the year-end.
•    WPI food inflation dropped from 20.2% in February 2010 to 1.6% in January 2012. The low inflation rate is likely to improve promote investment
•    India remains among the fastest growing economies of the world. Country’s sovereign credit rating rose by a substantial 2.98 percent in 2007-12.
•    Fiscal consolidation on track - savings & capital formation expected to rise.
  • Exports grew 40.5% in the first half of this fiscal and imports grew by 30.4%.
  • The trade deficit stood at 8% of the GDP. 
  • Forex reserves enhanced - covering nearly the entire external debt stock
•    Central spending on social services goes up to 18.5% this fiscal from 13.4% in 2006-07.
•    MNREGA coverage increases to 5.49 crore households in 2010-11.
•    Sustainable development and climate change concerns on high priority.

Union Railway Budget 2012-13: Analysis

The Union Railway Budget 2012-13 was presented in the Lok Sabha on 14 March 2012 by Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi. While preparing the budget he drew heavily from the recommendations of Kakodkar committee on railway safety and Pitroda committee on modernization of infrastructure. Based on the recommendations of the two committees, Trivedi zeroed on five focus areas: Track; Bridges; Signaling & Telecommunication; Rolling Stock; Stations & freight Terminals. The emphasis on the focus areas would eventually lead to strengthening of the basic infrastructure of Indian Railways resulting in safety, decongestion, capacity augmentation and modernization of system, creating more efficient, faster and safer railways.

Summarising the Budget

Dinesh Trivedi took oath as Minister of Railways on 12 July 2011 immediately after the unfortunate rail accident at Fatehpur Malwa near Kanpur on 10 July, 2011. The Union Railway Budget 2012-13 was thus designed with special emphasis on Railway Safety. He seized the opportunity to announce that commitment made in 2001 to reduce accidents per million train km from 0.55 to 0.17 has been achieved.

Considering the overall parameters set out in Vision 2020 document, the budget stated that a huge sum of Rs 14 lakh crore is required in the next ten years. The total union budget outlay for 2012-13 stood at Rs 60100 crore.

Informing that 40% of the consequential train accidents, involving 60% to 70% of the total casualties occur at unmanned level crossings, he decided to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named Rail-Road Grade Separation Corporation of India with an objective to fast track elimination of level crossings in the next five years.

The decision to set up a committee to examine the current standards of safety on Indian Railways and to suggest suitable benchmarks and safety protocols were also announced.

By way of initiating a long term approach to safety and in line with recommendations of the Committee, I propose to set up an independent Railway Safety Authority as a statutory regulatory body. The functions of the Authority are to be chalked out in line with international practices.

In tune with the recommendations of the Expert Group for Modernisation of Indian Railways which suggested following of a ‘Mission Mode' approach, the budget announced the formation of Missions headed by Mission Directors in each of the identified areas for a three year term. Also, a High Level Committee is to be set up to facilitate coordination amongst the Missions, fast-track implementation, and address bottlenecks.

Union Railway Budget adopted a Multi-pronged Approach

The Union Railway Budget proposed a multi-pronged approach with an objective to build a new, safe and modern, passenger and freight transportation system which would contribute at least 2 to 2.5% to the GDP of the nation as against less than 1% at present. Multi-pronged approach focused on: Safety; Consoliation; Decongestion & Capacity Augmentation; Modernization; To bring down the Operating Ratio from 95% to 84.9% in 2012-13 and to 74% in the terminal year of 12th Plan

Areas of Focus

The Union Railway Budget 2012-13 announced a number of new passenger services keeping in view the needs and aspirations of the people. 75 new Express trains, 21 Passenger trains, 8 new MEMU services and 9 DEMU services were proposed. Also it was proposed to extend the run of 40 trains and increase the frequency of 23 trains.

The fares were raised in the budget. The fares were raised 2 paise per km for suburban and ordinary second class. Fares for mail express second class was raised by only 3 paise per km; for sleeper class by only 5 paise per km; for AC Chair Car, AC 3 tier & First Class by only 10 paise per km; AC 2 Tier by only 15 paise per km; and AC I by only 30 paise per km. Corresponding rationalisation in minimum distance and fare chargeable in various classes was also proposed.

It was also decided to incorporate a rounding off mechanism in the fare structure to address the problem passengers face at the ticket windows because of non-availability of loose change.

Investment proposed by Railways


The 12th Plan investment proposed by Railways at Rs 7.35 lakh crore up from the investment during XI Plan of Rs 1.92 lakh crore. The required resources for the plan are proposed to be met by:-

i. Gross Budgetary Support of `2.5 lakh crore;
ii. Government support for national projects of `30,000 crore;
iii. Ploughing back of dividend of `20,000 crore
iv. Internal Resources of `1,99,805 crore
v. Extra Budgetary Resources of `2,18,775 crore
vi. Railway Safety Fund of `16,842 crore.

The budget put forth a demand for additional funding assistance of about Rs 5 lakh crore under the Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana from the government

The Wide-angle View

The Union Railway Budget proposed a progressive shift to flash butt technology for welding of rails, progressive use of 60 kg rails instead of 52 kg, provision of thick web switches at points & crossings, mechanised maintenance with the latest track machines and increased frequency of ultrasonic testing of tracks.

Plan to modernize nearly 19000 km track through renewals, upgradation of track, replacement and strengthening of 11,250 bridges to run heavier freight trains of 25 tonne axle load and to achieve passenger train speeds of 160 kmph and over was proposed in the budget. The estimated expenditure of Rs 63212 crore was proposed for the same.

Signalling system on Indian Railways will be modernized with the provisioning of advanced technological features. Panel/Route Relay Interlocking covering 700 more stations by 2014 was proposed as a part of the modernization of the signaling system. Provisioning of Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS), which ensures automatic application of brakes whenever a driver over-shoots a signal at danger, thereby eliminating chances of collision of trains was also proposed.

The total cost of various signalling and telecom works was estimated to be Rs 39,110 crore in the next 5 years. The railway budget proposed to provide Rs 200211 crore in 2012-13, which is more than double the allocation of the current year and the highest ever.

Upgradation of coaches including EMU coaches, locomotives and wagons was noted to be one of the key areas of modernization during the next 5 years for improving safety and convenience & comfort of passengers. The highest ever allocation of Rs 18,193 crore was proposed for the 12th five year plan for the purpose of upgradation.

In the areas of Stations and Freight Terminals, Trivedi proposed to set up a separate organisation namely Indian Railway Station Development Corporation, which will redevelop the stations and maintain them on the pattern of airports.

Creation of Logistics Corporation for development and management of existing railway goods sheds and multimodal logistics parks

Proposal to undertake surveys and feasibility studies for developing coaching terminals at Nemam and Kottayam in Kerala, Mau in Uttar Pradesh and Dankuni in West Bengal during 2012-13, besides undertaking a pre-feasibility study for development of Roypuram station in Tamil Nadu was stated in the Union Railway budget 2012-13.

The Union Railway budget 2012-13 proposed to allocate about Rs 4410 crore to capacity augmentation works.

To recognize the efforts of the dedicated railway workforce the budget suggested benefits in the form of improvements at work places, better housing facilities, improved service at hospitals and other facilities. Accordingly, allocation of Rs 717 crore in the current year has been almost doubled to Rs 1388 crore in 2012-13.

The Union railway proposed to electrify 6500 route kilometers during the 12th Plan period. This would include electrification of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla line and hence provide pollution free traction to the pristine Kashmir Valley. An allocation of Rs 828 crore has been provided in 2012-13. Propulsion System for use in high power electric locomotive was proposed to be introduced.

Union railway Minister proposed to raise the allocation under passenger amenities from Rs 762 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 1102 crore in 2012-13. A slew of passenger and other user friendly measures were proposed during 2012-13. To facilitate easy movement of passengers, installation of 321 escalators at important stations of which 50 will be commissioned during 2012-13 were proposed. He also proposed integration of the RPF Helpline with the All India Passenger Helpline to facilitate much faster response to the security needs of passengers.

Initiative to start manufacturing especially designed coaches having earmarked compartments and toilets adapted to the needs of wheel chair borne/differently-abled person was a prime focus of the Union Railway Budget. The Union budget proposed to set up a factory at Shyamnagar in West Bengal on PPP basis for manufacture of next generation technology and also proposed to utilize and augment the electric loco Ancillaries Unit of CLW being set up at Dankuni for fabrication of locomotive shells. Several measures were initiated/ proposed to promote clean environment.

On the occasion of the 175th Birth Anniversary of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, propose setting up of a Coaching Terminal to be named after him at Naihati. Also it was decided that a special train would run across the country to disseminate his legacy to the young generation. Institution of a Rail Khel Ratna Award was also proposed to honour 10 sports-persons every year, based on their current performance. The awardees would be provided world class training to hone their skills further.