India's Q1 GDP grows at 8.2% on upswing in manufacturing and construction activity

Agencies
September 1, 2018

New Delhi, Sept 1: India's economy grew at 2-year high of 8.2 percent in the April-June quarter of 2018-19 on strong performance of manufacturing and agriculture sectors, increasing its lead over China to remain the world's fastest-growing major economy.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant prices (2011-12) had grown at 5.6 percent in the April-June quarter of last fiscal, according to government data released on Friday.

The size of the GDP in the first quarter of 2018-19 has estimated at Rs 33.74 lakh crore, as against Rs 31.18 lakh crore in Q1 of 2017-18, a growth rate of 8.2 percent, as per the statement of the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The previous high in quarterly GDP growth was recorded in the January-March quarter of 2015-16 at 9.3 percent.

The Chinese economy had expanded at the rate of 6.7 percent in the April-June period this year.

India's Gross Value Added (GVA) for the quarter under consideration has been estimated at 8 percent, up from 5.6 percent in the year-ago period.

The quarterly GVA at constant (2011-2012) prices for Q1 of 2018-19 has been estimated at Rs 31.63 lakh crore, as against Rs 29.29 lakh crore in Q1 of 2017-18, showing a growth rate of 8 percent over the year-ago period.

The CSO said that manufacturing activities expand at the rate of 13.5 percent in the quarter under review. The sector had witnessed a decline of 1.8 percent in similar period last year.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in a tweet that the growth represents the potential of new India. "Reforms and fiscal prudence are serving us well. India is witnessing an expansion of the neo middle class."

Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar in a tweet said: "Excellent news of GDP hitting a 9-quarter high at 8.2 percent".

Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said it has been a remarkable speed of economic recovery in the last four quarters -- 6.3 percent, 7 percent, 7.7 percent and now 8.2 percent.

"The GDP growth rate of 8.2% for the Q1 (April-June) of fiscal year 2018-19 indicates clearly that several structural reforms introduced such as GST have started giving rich dividends.The growth in manufacturing sector (13.5%) also indicates broad based recovery of demand," he said in series of tweets.

The CSO data further said 'agriculture, forestry and fishing' segment of the economy posted a growth of 5.3 percent as against 3 percent year-on-year. Growth in the 'electricity, gas, water supply and other utility serives' was 7.3 percent and in construction activities it was 8.7 percent.

'Trade, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting' and 'financial, real estate and professional services' segements posted slower growth in comparison to the year-ago quarter.

The growth in mining and quarrying activities too was slower.

Talking to reporters, Economic Affairs Secretary S C Garg said that the robust performance in the April-June quarter "gives hope" that growth could exceed even estimates of 7.5 percent for the year as whole.

Excellent growth performance in I qrtr. 8.2 percent overall growth, 13.5 percent growth in manufacturing and over 10 percent in capital formation.

"V shaped recovery of growth in Indian economy is complete now. We should grow at robust and steady state in 18-19 remaining fastest economy in World," he said.

Industry chamber Assocham said the best part about an impressive GDP growth "is that it is being led by employment-intensive manufacturing".

"Same is true about the construction which again is job-generating sector and grew by 8.7 percent," said Sandeep Jajodia, President of the chamber.

Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said that multiple sectors register growth of over 7 percent reflecting holistic progress towards 'New India' under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a tweet, Executive Chairman Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra linked the GDP growth number with the Asian Games, saying "...this is like receiving news of a medal... We've been sensing a strong recovery of the economy across our various businesses.This data supports that hypothesis. Now, to sustain momentum we need more reforms & swift decision making by policy-makers..."

The Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) at current prices is estimated at Rs 12.75 lakh crore in first quarter of 2018-19 as against Rs 11.20 lakh crore in similar quarter of 2017-18.

At constant (2011-2012) prices, the GFCF is estimated at Rs 10.65 lakh crore in April-June quarter of 2018-19 as against Rs 9.68 lakh crore in similar period of 2017-18.

GFCF is considered as a barometer of investment activities.

Anshuman Magazine, Chairman, India and South East Asia, CBRE said a strong GDP growth of 8.2 percent "builds expectations" and showcases that the economy is recovering much faster than expected from the implementation of policy reforms such as the GST last year.

President of PHDCCI Anil Khaitan said the growth of agriculture, forestry and fishing is reflecting the focus of the government on farm and rural economy during the last few years which would go a long way to strengthen the economy and put it on USD 5 trillion economy by 2025.

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News Network
March 6,2020

New Delhi, Mar 6: As panicky depositors rushed to withdraw money from Yes Bank whose control was seized by the RBI in a dramatic late-night move, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday assured depositors that their money is safe and said the central bank was working for an early resolution of the crisis.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday evening capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 for the next one month and imposed strict limits on operations at the country's fourth-largest private lender that faced "regular outflow of liquidity" after an effort to raise new capital failed.

"I am in continuous interaction with the RBI. The RBI is fully seized of the matter and has assured they will give a quick resolution," Sitharaman said here.

She said no depositor will lose his or her money and insisted that the immediate priority is to ensure Yes Bank customers are able to withdraw money within the stipulated cap.

"I want to assure every depositor that their money shall be safe. Their monies are safe," she said. "I am constantly in contact with the RBI and the steps that are taken are taken in the interest of depositors, banks and economy. We are fully seized of the development."

She was talking to reporters after meeting State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Rajnish Kumar. On Thursday, the SBI board gave its "in-principle" approval to exploring investment opportunities in Yes Bank.

"So I repeat, the depositors can be assured that their money is safe," she said.

Soon after the RBI takeover, depositors thronged Yes Bank ATMs to withdraw money and police had to be deployed in some places to control the crowds.

Yes Bank has 1,000 branches across the country.

Refusing to elaborate on her meeting with the SBI chairman, the minister said that "was on a completely different matter".

"RBI governor has given me assurance that there will be an appropriate resolution soon. No depositor will lose (money)," she said. "Reserve Bank has taken cognizance of the problem."

The central bank, she said, has gone through the "process over and over again to find out an amicable solution".

"And that has been over the last couple of months. So it is not as if they have come in suddenly now. We have been monitoring the situation," she said adding the RBI has appointed an administrator who previously was with the SBI.

"Both the RBI and the government are looking at this with all the details before them, not just today. I have personally monitored the situation over the last couple of months with the RBI. Therefore we have taken a course which will be in everybody's interest," she added.

Yes Bank had been seeking new capital since last year to bolster its ratios and quell questions about its stability due to its exposure to the non-banking finance industry entangled in a prolonged crunch in the local credit market.

The SBI chairman said the resolution to the Yes Bank crisis will come "very shortly".

"This is not a sectoral problem. It is a bank-specific problem," he said. "The RBI will take all steps to ensure financial stability."

On SBI picking up a stake in Yes Bank, he said the lender already has an in-principle approval for doing so.

"If SBI has to pick up a stake in Yes Bank, we have an in-principle approval for that," he said.

Commenting on the crisis at Yes Bank, Alka Anbarasu, Vice President – Senior Credit Officer, Financial Institutions, Moody's Investors Service, said: "RBI's moratorium on Yes Bank is credit negative as it affects timely repayment of bank depositors and creditors."

"While Moody's expects Indian authorities will take steps to prevent the weakness in the bank's viability from significantly impacting its depositors and senior creditors, the lack of a coordinated and timely action highlights continued uncertainty around bank resolutions in India," she said.

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News Network
January 6,2020

Hyderabad, Jan 6: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday expressed solidarity with students of Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, following violence in the campus and said the "cruel attack" was meant to "punish"the students as they "dared to stand up".

"In solidarity with the brave students of JNU. This cruel attack is meant to 'punish' JNU students because they dared to stand up. It's so bad that even Union Ministers are tweeting helplessly. Modi Sarkar must answer why cops aresiding with goons," the Hyderabad MP tweeted.

The AIMIM has also tweeted expressing solidarity with the "students of JNU". "AIMIM stands in solidarity with the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University. Who feels threatened by the voice of students?," the party said in a tweet.

Violence broke out at the JNU on Sunday night as masked men armed with sticks and rods attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in police which conducted a flag march.

At least 28 people, including JNU Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh, were injured as chaos reigned on the campus for nearly two hours.

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Agencies
May 10,2020

New Delhi, May 10: A medium-intensity earthquake of 3.4 magnitude hit Delhi on Sunday.

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the quake occurred at 1.45pm at a depth of five kilometres.

There were no immediate reports of loss of life or property.

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