Ministry of Finance

Economic Survey Highlights Economy projected to grow at 9.2 per cent in 2006-07, building on 9 per cent growth in 2005-06. Vigorous growth with strong macroeconomic fundamentals has characterised developments in the Indian economy in 2006-07 so far. FDI Rises by 98.4 per cent in first half of 2006-07 Foreign Exchange Reserves Touch $ 180 Billion The Economic Survey for 2006-07 says that there was a strong growth in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows with three quarters of such flows in the form of equity. Agricultural credit and other incentives to farmers The Economic Survey 2006-07 mentions about special relief package for farmers announced for 31 districts in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala where there was incidence of farmers'' suicide. Containment of inflation high on Government''s agenda Containment of inflation during 2005-06 was high on the Government''s agenda as the inflation hurts the poor and puts pressure on interest rates, adversely affecting both savings and investment. Deepen domestic reforms for accelerating long term export Growth: Economic Survey The Economic Survey, 2006-07 states that the deepening of domestic reforms is required to maintain and further accelerate the current dynamism in exports on a long-term basis. Increase in minimum support price of wheat and rice to enhance procurement Stocks of foodgrains in the country stood at 18.8 million tonnes as on January 1, 2006 which was lower than the January 1, 2005 stocks of 21.7 million tones and buffer stock norm of 20 million tonnes. Foodgrains production estimated at 209.2 MT in 2006-07 The Economic Survey for 2006-07 estimates the total foodgrains production in 2006-07 at 209.2 million tonnes. Expenditure on subsidies to increase by 5200 crore rupees in 2006-07 The Economic Survey 2006-07 says that major subsidies mainly on food fertilizer and petroleum grew from Rs. 40,716 crore in 2002-03 to Rs. 44,220 crore in 2005-06 (provisional). Government DebtThe ratio of outstanding liabilities to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2006-07 (BE) was higher by 0.4 percentage points compared to 2001-02. Self help groups avail bank loans worth 11,398 crore rupees The Economic Survey 2006-07 states that over 2 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs) availed bank loans worth Rs. 11,398 crore as on 31st March 2006. Fiscal Consolidation Satisfactory: Economic Survey 2006-2007 Progress in fiscal consolidation has been satisfactory in the post Fiscal Reforms and Budget Management (FRBM) period. Six core industries register 8.3 per cent growth rate Overall index of six core industries - electricity, coal, steel, crude oil, petroleum refinery products and cement having a direct bearing on infrastructure registered a growth of 8.3 per cent in April-December, Security Market - Highlights Stock market scaled new peaks with Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) indices crossing the 14,000 and 4,000 marks respectively in January 2007. Apprehensions regarding SEZs can be addresed through appropriate policies and safeguards: Economic Survey 2006-07 The Economic Survey 2006-07 has called for appropriate sequencing to sustain popular support for reforms and reconciling the conflicting interests of the various reforms constituencies. Economic Survey 2006-07 lauds commendable growth in the Industrial Sector The Economic Survey 2006-07 has lauded the impressive growth of the industrial sector, propelled by robust growth in the manufacturing sector, which has continued unabated during the current year so far. Slow progress on the Social Sector Front: Economic Survey 2006-07 Despite focus on sustained improvement in the quality of the life of the people in general and poor in particular, India''s progress on the social sector front continues to be slow, says the Economic Survey 2006-07. Reversal in declining trend in employment growth The Economic Survey 2006-07 points out a reversal of the declining trend in employment growth - from an annual 2.1 percent in the 10 years ending 1993-94 to 1.6 percent in the five years ending 1999-2000 to 2.5 percent in the five years ending 2004-05. India''s Population to Stabilise around 2045 Annual Population growth is expected to gradually decelerate from 1.6 per in the five years ending in 2006 to 0.9 percent in the five years ending in 2026. Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Fdi Retail: Govt committed to safeguarding interests of Indian Industry and consumer The Policy on foreign direct investment (FDI) is reviewed on a continuing basis. Mashelkar Report and the patent issue Government has received a report from the Technical Expert Group on Patent Law Issues set up by the Government of India under the chairmanship of Dr. R.A. Mashelkar on 29/12/2006. The main recommendations of the Group are as under: Export of Dollar Channa - Jt. DGFT Hyderabad and Bhopal to permit allocations Department of Commerce have issued Notification No.48 dated 20.2.2007 allowing export of Dollar (Channa) under permission granted by Director General of Foreign Trade. Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways

T.R. Baalu approves reconstruction of minor bridge in Tamil Nadu The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Thiru T.R. Baalu has approved the reconstruction of the Minor Bridge at km 110/10 of National Highway 209 at a total cost of Rs. 48.35 lakh.