">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
India new govt will focus on growth, help poor
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Search
Search:
India new govt will focus on growth, help poor
AFP - Friday, June 5
NEW DELHI (AFP) - - India's new Congress-led government promised Thursday to focus on spurring economic growth in its bid to meet a recent election pledge of turning voters' hopes "into change".
ADVERTISEMENT
Spelling out the government's goals for a second term in office after being swept back to power on promises to help the poor, India's president said the first aim would be to revive a slowing economy.
President Pratibha Patil said it now had "the mandate and the opportunity to translate the hopes and aspirations of the people of India into change."
But "our immediate priority must be to focus on management of the economy that will counter the effect of the global slowdown," she told a joint parliamentary session.
The economy expanded by 6.7 percent in the fiscal year to March 2009, down from nine percent a year earlier, and the president said growth would diminish again this year. The central bank is targeting expansion of six percent.
Patil said the drive to restore growth to at least nine percent, as seen before the financial crisis, would be accompanied by more public investment on overhauling dilapidated infrastructure -- seen as a key hurdle to expansion.
Financing the investment would be "a critical constraint" because of the world credit crunch but the government was determined to make funds available in line with a "medium-term strategy of prudent fiscal management," she said.
Economists saw the speech by Patil, whose role is largely ceremonial, as a signal of more government largesse despite a fiscal deficit at a seven-year peak of 6.2 percent of GDP.
"It looks increasingly as though the July budget will encompass a further fiscal easing, leaving it up to stronger economic growth to reduce the soaring deficit," said HSBC economist Robert Prior-Wandesforde.
Signalling a new thrust on reforms stalled during the government's previous five-year mandate, Patil also said the government would further open up the economy to overseas investment and begin stake sales in public sector firms.
"Foreign direct investment needs to be encouraged," she said, without giving further details.
The mention of reforms pushed India's benchmark Sensex index up nearly one percent to 15,008.68, its first close above 15,000 points since last September, analysts said.
The Congress was returned to power last month with its biggest seat tally in 18 years. Economists called the mandate a "game changer" as it allows the party to rule without the support of the communists who opposed reforms during the last term.
Stressing the government's commitment to raise living standards for the millions of poor who were key to the Congress victory, Patil pledged more low-cost housing, subsidised food and an overhaul of public food distribution, which suffers from wide corruption.
She said the government would also expand its popular National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme.
India's economic agenda is "not going to be cheap," said HSBC's Prior-Wandesforde.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: China's Economy
China considering environmental tax: govtAFP - 1 hour 52 minutes ago
Late OZ bid could scupper Chinese deal: reportsAFP - 2 hours 13 minutes ago
Growth figures confirm S.Korea avoided recessionAFP - Friday, June 5
World Bank: 900 mln dollar aid package to PakistanAFP - Friday, June 5
Related Articles: Business
Japan's Komatsu to make hybrid excavators in ChinaAFP - Wednesday, June 3
Saudi Saad woes deepen on downgrade, restructuringReuters - Wednesday, June 3
Indian bond yields ease to 1-wk lows on buybackReuters - Thursday, June 4
India Hot Stocks: Flawless Diamond extends gains post orderReuters - Wednesday, June 3
Japan Hot Stocks-M'bishi Heavy, glassmakers, ToshibaReuters - Wednesday, June 3
Enlarge Photo
India new govt will focus on growth, help poor
Related Photos
Slideshow Full Photo Coverage: Business & Economy
Related Full Coverage
China Economy
china economy
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – Business
Viewed
US actor Carradine dead, suicide suspected: Thai police
Black boxes may never be found: crash investigators
World 'getting closer' to swine flu pandemic: WHO
Pandemic warnings as swine flu spreads to Africa
Life, health insurers invest big in tobacco
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 5 June 2009 Taliban release all kidnapped students: officials
Britons jailed for life for French student murders
White House Web push for Obama speech
Militants blow up girls school in Pakistan: police
US actor Carradine dead, suicide suspected: Thai police
Indonesian woman faces jail over email complaint
President Obama meets Saudi king
Sberbank 'could sell Opel stake to Russian investor'
Stolen Renoir turns up near Venice, after 25 years
ECB, BoE hold record low rates, analysts eye bonds
First Afghan fibre optic cable connects to Tajikistan
Hezbollah camp seen gaining in Lebanon vote
Retailer Wal-Mart plans to add 22,000 US jobs
Bin Laden criticises Obama in new tape
NKorean navy boat crosses border with South: official
Thai 'Yellow Shirts' register new party: official
China's Hu, Obama discuss NKorea: state media
Palm Pre gets thumbs up in media reviews
| Technology
|
China's Hu, Obama discuss NKorea: state media
Canada will not regulate online broadcasters
| Technology
|
S.Korea's economy still gloomy: official data
China, Japan to launch talks on copyright piracy
Philippines plan to cut rice import
Poisoned liquor suspected in 25 Indonesian deaths
Collector: footbinding forerunner to fashion
Whitney Houston to release comeback album this fall
| Entertainment
|
Billy Elliot set to win big at Tony Awards
| Entertainment
|
Three US soldiers, poll candidate killed in Afghanistan
EU polls kick off with boost for Dutch right-winger
Obama seeks to change Muslim perceptions of U.S.
| International
|
Videogames delivering workouts along with fun
Carradine may have died from sex act: Thai police
Taliban release all kidnapped students: officials
UK PM Brown battles to hold on in face of revolt
| International
|
Brazil mistakes sea 'trash' for plane crash debris
White House launches online offensive for Obama speech
GM hopes to return to profit by 2011: court papers
Speed an issue in Air France crash, search goes on
| International
|
US says speeding up visas for researchers
Oldest serving cop in US dies at age 84
No sign of debris yet at jet crash site: Brazil
U.S. to impose financial sanctions on North Korea: report
| International
|
Israel gives mixed signals on Iran attack
Intel buying Wind River Systems for $884 mln
EU to send mission to Moscow and Kiev over gas dispute
Philippine army kills 13 rebels in heavy fighting
| International
|
Bomb in Baghdad cafe kills 7
All Israeli options against Iran on table
China security tight in Tiananmen
| International
|
China bus fire kills at least 24: Xinhua
| International
|
Drug gangs kill 11 in Mexico, mutilate bodies
| International
|
US, China need to lead on climate: US senator
Iran leader issues veiled criticism of moderates
| International
|
Climate talks move into next phase
Carradine may have died from sex act: Thai police
NKorea sees SKorean president in Roh's suicide
Suspense builds ahead of Apple extravaganza
| Technology
|
Obama vows 'new beginning' with Islam
Apple's Jobs ready to return from leave: report
| Technology
|
Koreans Pak, Lee share LPGA lead
US, Israeli defense ministers meet in Washington
China: At least 24 die in bus fire in southwest
US, China need to lead on climate: US senator
Nintendo rejected rivals' technology choice: report
| Technology
|
North Korea silent on fate of US journalists
Tech firms see 18 percent drop in storage revs: report
| Technology
|
Obama urges laggards get ready for digital TV
| Technology
|
Progress but still no deal on NKorea sanctions: UN
Videogame industry prays for resilient 2009
| Technology
|
US actor Carradine found hanged in Thai hotel
Aussie cricker Symonds ordered home, career in the balance
Canon revives new plant as camera sales hold firm
| Technology
|
Just a few on Twitter do all the tweeting: study
| Technology
|
Sony joins Universal, YouTube for music video site
| Technology
|
India new govt will focus on growth, help poor
Vietnam Airlines gets $120 mln loan for six aircraft
Pakistan's forex rise $330 mln to $11.52 bln
Pakistan stocks extend losses on economy, tax worries
Thai coroner seeks cause of Kung Fu actor's death
| Entertainment
|
Next season on the box? Anti-crisis 'Heal TV'
Edie Falco: from mobster wife to pill-popping nurse
| Entertainment
|
Europride gay festival expects 50,000 in Zurich
Chris Pine looks Unstoppable
| Entertainment
|
Soweto hopes to score on SAfrica's Confeds Cup
Heath Ledger documentary to air on Ovation TV
| Entertainment
|
Bollywood union boycotts Australia over attacks
Lost, Hangover try to catch Up at box office
| Entertainment
|
Defying recession, Japan's green cars surge in popularity
Reality gets Stranger with arranged-wedding show
| Entertainment
|
The Shield leads TV critics' nominations
| Entertainment
|
Calling Earth from the Air: world release of green movie 'Home'
Guns and drugs? Some rappers inflate hustler image
| Entertainment
|
Iconic Berlin Wall kiss to smack again: gallery
NY Philharmonic to play Platoon theme in Vietnam
| Entertainment
|
Australia PM outraged over sick kids TV stunt
"Carefree again", says Placebo's Brian Molko
Iraq, Afghanistan to resume ties soon: diplomats
Blind Japanese woman receives IBM's top award
British PM tries to save govt with cabinet reshuffle
Bomb kills 40 in Pakistan mosque as Holbrooke visits
| International
|
Rio Tinto calls off massive Chinalco tie-up
Iran to Obama: "sweet talk" not enough for Muslims
Obama speech aims to fix rift with Muslims
Myanmar court delays Suu Kyi trial, witness ruling
| International
|
Obama hopeful of Mideast peace progress this year
| International
|
Ukraine leader vows to block election changes
| International
|
Berlusconi says topless photos invasion of privacy
| International
|
Mogadishu exodus swells, Islamists battle for town
| International
|
Dalai Lama shrugs off concern over Dutch meeting
| International
|
Obama pledges Mideast peace drive
Obama speech widely hailed but foes still sceptical
U.S. says nuclear arms talks with Russia productive
Microsoft exec sees lower margins from cloud
| Technology
|
Sandra Bullock ... hates romantic comedies?
Philippine May inflation at 3.3pct, 18-month low
First Pacific denies Philippines asset swap bid
China, Japan should team up on product safety
Susan Boyle out of London clinic
Seoul shares end higher as techs, banks advance
Sky's the limit for Singapore gardens
China considering environmental tax: govt
Sandra Bullock ... hates romantic comedies?
NZ dollar steady, data eyed; debt weak
Susan Boyle leaves clinic, eyes U.S. success
| Entertainment
|
Growth figures confirm S.Korea avoided recession
World Bank: 900 mln dollar aid package to Pakistan
South Korea c.bank downplays recovery talk
Taiwan dollar ends at 1-week low on fund outflows
Bollywood producers, Indian multiplexes end standoff
| Entertainment
|
Researchers Say Playing Music In Stairwells May Help Fight Obesity
Kelly Osbourne's Hair Fell Out After Bleach-Job
Couple Conceived Baby At Green Day Show, Named Child Dookie
Saudi Prince Goes To Excess With $481 Million Private Jet
Prince William Is Dead Claims Google Database; The Prince Begs To Differ
Mysterious Lights Have Brits Eyeing Night Sky
Angelina Jolie Dethrones Oprah As Forbes Most Powerful Celeb
New York City Shelters Homeless At Vacant Luxury Condos
David Beckham Likes Eating Italian Delicacy "Little Bum"
Cameron Diaz Wishes She Had A Bigger Butt
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights