Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the industry leaders to shun negative sentiments, assuring them that government will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the economy rebounds.
“I appeal to each one of you not to be overcome by negative sentiments. We should stay the course…” he told captains of the industry while inaugurating 92nd Annual Session of The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) here.
He said while the economic growth this year is likely to be lower than 6.5 per cent target set at the time of budget, “What is important is that the economy should turn around from five per cent last year. There is a very good chance that we can achieve that with good agriculture performance and the effect of various actions that we are taking on infrastructure,” said Dr. Singh.
Referring to the recent liberalisation in foreign direct investment (FDI), the prime minister said, “More FDI reforms are on the anvil.”
Allaying concerns over interest rates, the prime minister said the recent steps taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on the rupee front were to stabilise the market expectations.
The prime minister also said that while Indian economy is going through difficult times, his government is committed to brining the current account deficit under control by addressing both demand and supply side problems. While on the demand side measures have been taken to contain gold imports. The government will continue adjusting prices of petroleum products “to progressively eliminate under recoveries.”
He said the government will use all policy instruments-fiscal, monetary and supply side interventions to ensure that the Current Account Deficit (CAD) declines further overtime. He expected that CAD in the current fiscal will be much lower than 4.7 per cent recorded last year.
Listing various recent steps taken by the government to revive the investor confidence the prime minister said several initiatives are being pursued to boost infrastructure. These include setting up of major ports in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, new airports in Navi Mumbai, Juhu, Goa, Pune and Kannur. Small airports are being built at other 50 locations as well.
Earlier, welcoming the PM at the ASSOCHAM annual session with the theme ‘Manifesto 2014: Vision of a new vibrant India,’ chamber’s president, Mr Rajkumar Dhoot said that political parties should focus more on governance issues like administration, development, employment, education, healthcare, food, roads and others.
In his address at the ASSOCHAM annual session, Dr Rana Kapoor, president-elect, ASSOCHAM said, “Majority of problems of the industry can be addressed through a more effective administration and better co-ordination amid various ministries.”
The reassuring words from PM has come very late in the day when the damage has already been done to Indian economy because of inaction and failure of the UPA government in all fronts. But still if PM can translate some of the assurances into action then he will still be remembered as a professional economist head of the current government.
