Chidambaram to table Economic Survey in Parliament

New Delhi, Feb 28 : Union Finance Minister P.Chidambaram will table the Economic Survey, an analytical report indicating the health of the Indian economy, in the Parliament today.

Following the presentation of the Railway Budget on Tuesday, the public and the industry expect Chidambaram to announce a cut in income tax and excise duties on various commodities to sustain GDP growth.

The Economic Survey is likely to focus on the Central Government's social sector achievements.

Policy measures to dampen the inflation, the impact of the slowdown on the US economy on the Indian economy, the rupee appreciation against the dollar and rising global international crude oil and food prices are expected to find key mention in the Economic Survey.

The Indian growth story was seen as slowing down in 2007-08 after touching a scorching 9.6 percent growth in 2006-07.

The Survey, mainly authored by Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Virmani, is expected to indicate the government's priorities and thrust areas for Budget 2008-09. A rosy picture of the economy is expected to be projected.

On the agriculture front, however, the Economic Survey might express concern about stagnation in the foodgrains sector and on oilseed production besides the need to raise public investment in the farm sector.

ANI