Pranab Mukherjee hopeful of estimated 7.2 pct growth rate in 2009-10

Bangalore, March 22 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said that the government is sticking to the predicted 7.2 percent growth rate for the fiscal period of 2009-10.

Mukherjee said it while delivering the keynote address at an international workshop on 'Financial Literacy' here today. The two-day workshop has been organized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to mark the platinum jubilee celebrations of the RBI.

"I have given some indication in my budget speech and also in the economic survey. So far as this year is concerned, which is coming to an end in a few days on 31st March (2010), the final figure will be known when the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) will be able to comply with it. But there advance estimate of 7.2 percent GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth, we are sticking to it. For the year 2010-11, as it has been pointed out in the economic survey it would be 8.5 percent (plus or minus of 0.25 per cent)," Mukherjee said.

It may be recalled that Mukherjee had said during his presentation at the Lok Sabha that the government was trying to return to a growth rate of 9 per cent and aiming for double-digit figures in the long term.

RBI Governor D Subbarao, Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla and OECD Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Richard A Boucher were among others who addressed the workshop. (ANI)