New Delhi, February 16: Presenting the Interim Budget in the Parliament, acting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that the economy had maintained a growth between 7%-8% and per capita income had grown by 7.4% in the last 4 yrs. He also said that government was within striking distance of fiscal correction. He people of India had voted for change. He referred to the CMP of the UPA which he said was created to bring about this change. Highlights People voted for change Manmohan singh wanted a change in the way the country is run CMP was built around this call for change 7 economic objectives Maintaining 7-8% growth Access to education, health Employment generation Assuring 100 days of employment Agri, rural development Fiscal consolidation and reform Fiscal devolution Indian showed sustained growth of over 9 % 4.7% growth in per capita in 4 yrs Fiscal Deficit between 4.5% to 2.3% Domestic investment rate as a proportion increased to 39% in 2008 Domestic saving increased to 39% All with guidance of Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan and with P Chidambaram contribution Growth drivers were Agri, services, manufacturing, construction Real heroes of Indian success stories are farmers 22.5 of wheat 28.5 mt of rice in PDS Food production grew by 10% every year to reach 230 mt in 08 Manufacturing growth 9.5% inform 04 to 08 Construction growth 26% from 04 to 08 Export grew by 26.4% from 04 to 08 Foreign trade as part of GDP grew to 35.5% in 08 Capital inflows in 08 : 97% of GDP
