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Economic Survey
The Finance Ministry of India presents the Economic Survey in the parliament every year,
just before the Union Budget. It is the ministry's view on the annual economic
development of the country. The survey was prepared by the finance ministry's chief
economic adviser Arvind Subramanian.
The economic survey, the basis for Jaitley's budget for the fiscal year starting April 1,
forecast the economy would grow by 8.1-8.5 percent under a new calculation method that
makes India the world's top-growing big economy.
Fiscal Deficit
India must meet its medium-term fiscal deficit target of 3 percent of GDP
Government will adhere to fiscal deficit target of 4.1 percent of GDP in 2014/15
Growth
Economic growth at market prices seen between 8.1 - 8.5 percent in 2015/16 on new
GDP calculation formula
Total stalled projects seen at about 7 percent of GDP, mostly in private sector
Reforms
India can increase public investments and still hit its borrowing targets
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Govt and central bank need to conclude monetary framework pact to consolidate
gains in inflation control
Fiscal Consolidation
Estimated at about 1.3 percent of GDP in 2014/15 and less than 1.0 percent of GDP in
2015/16
Subsidies
Overhauling of subsidy regime would pave the way for expenditure rationalisation
Liquidity
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Railway Budget
The Railway Budget is presented separately from the general budget of India every year
since 1924. At that time, Railway budget was more than 70% of the countrys Budget. So
there was need of separate Budget for Railways. Now Railway Budget is around 15% of
countrys budget. But still we follow the traditional way of budgeting.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented the Railway Budget for 2015 to 2016 in Lok
Sabha on February 26 2015. While presenting the budget, the Minister referenced Prime
Minister Narendra Modis pet schemes like Swachch Bharat, Digital India and Make in
India. The Minister announced no new trains and there is no will be no hike in Passenger
fares.
Points to Remember in Railway Budget 2015
Rs.8.5 lakh crore will be invested in Railways in next 5 years.
Sanctioned fast track expansion of 7000 Km of existing railway routes.
Expansion of 77 projects covering 9,400 Km of existing rail lines.
Resolving the rail traffic allocated Rs. 2,374 crore for this purpose.
Increasing the speed of 9 railway corridor from 110 Km to 140 kmph and from 160
Km to 200 kmph.
Raised freight fares for several commodities by as much as 10%.
Surveillance cameras in select coaches and ladies compartments for womens safety
Reducing the long haul Journeys between metros like Delhi-Kolkata and DelhiMumbai to overnight.
Bio toilets and airplane-type vacuum toilets in trains.
The
feasibility study of bullet train on Mumbai-Ahmadabad route.
A full fledged university to be set up in this financial year.
Setting up of Environment Directorate to focus on environment management.
Setting up of 1000 MW solar plants on railway land.
Enabling 100 Demu trains for dual fuel CNG and diesel.
Rail tickets can now be booked 120 days in advance.
Operation 5 mins Passengers travelling unreserved can purchase a ticket in just 5
minutes.
Wi-Fi in more stations, mobile phone charging facilities in all train compartments.
Facility of online booking of wheelchair for senior citizens.
Four Railway Research Centers to start in four universities.
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Infrastructure
Rs. 70,000 crores to Infrastructure sector.
Tax-free bonds for projects in rail road and irrigation.
PPP model for infrastructure development to be revitalised and govt. to bear
majority of the risk.
Atal Innovation Mission to be established to draw on expertise of entrepreneurs, and
researchers to foster scientific innovations; allocation of Rs. 150 crore.
Govt. proposes to set up 5 ultra mega power projects, each of 4000MW.
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Education
AIIMS in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and
Assam.
IIT in Karnataka; Indian Institute of Mines in Dhanbad to be upgraded to IIT.
PG institute of Horticulture in Armtisar.
Kerala to have University of Disability Studies
Centre of film production, animation and gaming to come up in Arunachal Pradesh.
IIM for Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh.
Welfare schemes
GST and JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhar and Mobile) to improve quality of life
and to pass benefits to common man.
Six crore toilets across the country under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
MUDRA bank will refinance micro finance orgs. to encourage first generation SC/ST
entrepreneurs.
Housing for all by 2020.
Upgradation 80,000 secondary schools.
DBT will be further be expanded from 1 crore to 10.3 crore.
For the Atal Pension Yojna, govt. will contribute 50% of the premium limited to Rs.
1000 a year.
New scheme for physical aids and assisted living devices for people aged over 80 .
Govt to use Rs. 9000 crore unclaimed funds in PPF/EPF for Senior Citizens Fund.
Rs. 5,000 crore additional allocation for MGNREGA.
Govt. to create universal social security system for all Indians.
Agriculture
Rs. 25,000 crore for Rural Infrastructure Development Bank
Rs. 5,300 crore for Micro Irrigation Programme
Rs. 8.5 lakh crore for Targeted for farmer credit
Defence
Rs. 2,46,726 crore allocated for defence (an increase of 9.87 per cent over last year)
Focus on Make in India for quick manufacturing of Defence equipment.
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