New Delhi, Aug 30 : India is on track to surpass Britain next year to become the fifth largest economy in the world and to emerge among the "big three" global economies by 2040, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Thursday.

He said while India's per capita income may still be modest, but the size of the economy was very large and growing at a fast pace.

"This year, in shear size, we have overtaken France. Next year, we're likely to overtake Britain. And therefore we will be the fifth largest (economy in the world)," Jaitley said at the inauguration of the new building of Competition Commission of India.

The Minister said that other economies in the world were growing at a rate much slower than India's.

"It won't take a very long time to overtake those economies which are growing at 1 to 1.5 per cent if we grow at 7 to 8 per cent on an average. And if you look at 2030 or 2040, we are unquestionably going to be - as world projections are - among the big three in size," he said.

Jaitley added that India still had a lot of avenues for pushing up growth over the next 10 to 20 years.

"For instance, growth is more in the north, south and the western parts of the country. The eastern side still has to grow faster. That's an area where we will see growth. Women employment is an area where we will see their contribution coming into the growth process."

The Minister added that as the market and the economic activity expand, the role of the Competition Commission of India would also expand.

"Our population is large, our consumer base is large, the size of the economy and its potential is going to be large, and hence the market is also going to be very large. And if the market is large, we will certainly have aberrations in the market, and therefore the need for you to step in is also going to be there," he said.

"So over the next 10 to 20 years, your role is going to expand."



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Several users on ‘X’ on Thursday and Friday shared claims that LPG cylinders booked at 11:45 AM were being delivered within just two hours, prompting humorous and curious reactions online. 

Meanwhile netizens quickly responded to the sudden similar bookings by many users.

One ‘X’ user tweeted, “Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11:45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1:30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges. I asked the delivery guy if there was any shortage. His reply was negative. This copy is circulating 👇.”

Another user questioned the timing, asking, “How can all book at the same time?” while a separate post wondered, “Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM?”

Many netizens joked about the posts. One wrote, “Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinders at 11:45 AM, and surprisingly it’s getting delivered in two hours. IT cell has some special gas agency. Is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?” 

One urged, “Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too,” sharing a photo of people standing in ques.

“Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM. I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM,” wrote another. 

 

One user asked, “What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM?” while another tweeted, “I am going to book a gas cylinder at 11:45 AM tomorrow, hope Modi Ji will deliver it by 1:30.”

“I want to ask one thing… If I book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11:45 AM and the gas agency is unable to deliver it by 1:30 PM, will it be free like Domino’s pizza, or will I get it at some discounted price? BJP IT Cell experts, please confirm so that I can book my LPG cylinder tomorrow exactly at 11:45 AM,” said another humorously.