GDP advance estimate of 7.2% growth number is noteworthy, but ascent towards 8% in 2019-20 looks a bit daunting
FirstpostThe 7.2% GDP growth number nonetheless is noteworthy as it will form the fulcrum for all futuristic scenarios that would go into the formulation of the Budget. Given that growth was 6.7 percent last year, 7.4 percent would appear to be a sharper improvement compared with 7.2 percent. While this looks possible, it must be remembered that the base effect, where the growth numbers last year were substantially higher in Q3 and Q4 post-Goods and Services Tax, could be a barrier this time. Another interesting outcome of these advance estimates is the gross fixed capital formation number which has been placed higher at 29.5 percent compared with 28.5 percent last year. The 7.2 percent growth number nonetheless is noteworthy as it will form the fulcrum for all futuristic scenarios that would go into the formulation of the Budget.