Mah's GDP projected at 8.6 pc in 2005-06

Mumbai, Mar 21 (UNI) Maharashtra's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at 8.6 per cent this fiscal ending on March 31, as compared to the national average of 8.1 per cent, showing an increase of 13.4 per cent over the previous year.

According to the Economy Survey 2005-06 tabled in the state Legislature today, the state government debts are expected to increase from Rs 84,257 crore in 2003-04 to Rs 1,06,627 crore in 2005-06. But their percentage to the gross state domestic product (GSDP) is expected to decline marginally from 25.7 per cent to 25.5 per cent during the same period.

The sectoral growth rates of GSDP are expected at five per cent in primary sector (agriculture and allied activities), 8.3 per cent in secondary sector and 9.5 per cent in tertiary sector (service).

The survey expects the food grain production to be 122.5 lakh tonnes, more by about 17 per cent than during the last fiscal. The production of cotton is expected to be around 6.16 lakh tonnes, more by about 23 per cent than that during the previous year. The oil seed production is expected to increase by 30.9 per cent to 33.95 lakh tonnes. The sugarcane production is also expected to be much more at 347 lakh tonnes, more by 69.4 per cent than that in the previous year. This increase in production is mainly due to 61 per cent rise in the harvested area of sugarcane during this fiscal year.

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