India on track to stay among fastest growing economies: IMF
Washington, Aug 8 : Observing that India'a near-term macroeconomic outlook is "broadly favorable", the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that the country is on course to hold its position as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Following its Executive Board's assessment concluded last month, the IMF said on Tuesday that key risks to the Indian economy include higher oil prices, tightening global financial conditions and tax revenue deficits.
"The near-term macroeconomic outlook is broadly favorable. Growth is forecast to rise to 7.3 per cent in FY2018/19 and 7.5 per cent in FY2019/20, on strengthening investment and robust private consumption," an IMF release said.
"Headline inflation is projected to rise to 5.2 per cent in FY2018/19, as demand conditions tighten, along with the recent depreciation of the rupee and higher oil prices, housing rent allowances, and agricultural minimum support prices."
IMF mission chief for India Ranil Salgado said the Indian economy at present is like "an elephant starting to run".
Continuing structural reforms would be key to high growth, he said, adding that further rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would give maximum benefits, while labour reforms would be an incentive for companies to expand.
Underlining India's importance for the world economy, the IMF India Staff Report also said the country accounts for about 15 per cent of global growth.
Persistently high retail inflation expectations, large government fiscal deficits and debt remain key macroeconomic challenges, the multilateral financing agency said.
"Systemic macrofinancial risks persist, as the weak credit cycle could impair growth and the sovereign-bank nexus has created vulnerabilities," it said.
Domestic risks pertain to tax revenue shortfalls related to continued GST implementation issues and delays in addressing the twin balance sheet problems and other structural reforms," it added.
The IMF also said that the Reserve Bank of India should be given full supervisory powers over government-owned banks, while the legal independence of RBI must also be clarified.
The report also recommended higher private sector participation in Indian banking.
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Two Bangladeshi nationals staying illegally in Bengaluru held: Police
Bengaluru (PTI): Two Bangladeshi nationals, including a 17-year-old girl, who were residing illegally in the city, were held during a police verification drive, officials said on Thursday.
The girl who hails from Dhaka, and 23-year-old Mohammed Umar, who hails from Bagerhat district of Bangladesh, were working at Winsome Tree Community here, they said.
The duo, who lived in the K Narayanapura area, under the jurisdiction of the Kothanur police station limits, were caught on Wednesday during a police verification drive, a senior police officer said.
Following an inquiry, the two were handed over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for further legal action, he said.
"Further verification and proceedings will be carried out in accordance with immigration rules. Currently, they have been shifted to a detention centre," he added.
These special drives are being conducted following the directives of Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, who in February instructed the police department to conduct a state-wide drive to identify Bangladeshi nationals or other foreign nationals staying illegally here.
