Savings rate likely to rise
The Survey says the savings rate is likely to rise further with the demographic advantage of a higher proportion of working population.

'Budgets rarely follow the Survey's sermon'
Last year, the Survey suggested a long list of reforms, but most of these found no place in the Budget.

Indian stocks: World's second-best performers
Boosted by a strong recovery in 2009, Meanwhile, other leading indices in the region which witnessed a cumulative gain in the six-year period include China's SSE Composite Index (116.9 per cent) Kospi index of South Korea (104.4 per cent), Hong Kong's Hang Seng index (74.2 per cent), Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (58.7 per cent) and TSEC weighted index of Taiwan (32.3 per cent).

Investors get 76% return from blue-chip cos
Investors in Sensex companies turned richer in 2009, raking in returns of over 76 per cent on their investments, as the collective market valuation of the 30-blue chip companies nearly doubled to Rs 26.49 lakh crore last year, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.

Govt accepts 13th Finance Commission proposals
The commission in its report, tabled in Parliament, recommended increase in share of states to 32 per cent of central tax proceeds from the current 30.5 per cent.

'Govt doubles spend on social services in last 6 fiscals'
The central government spent a budget estimate of 19.46 per cent of its total expenditure (both plan and non-plan) in 2009-10 on social services, including rural development, against 10.46 per cent in 2003-04, the Survey tabled in Parliament said on Thursday.

Pension reforms' success to facilitate development
The PFRDA is engaged in consolidating the initiatives taken so far regarding the full New Pension System and expanding the reach of distribution network.

Economy shows clear signs of revival: FM
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said that financial year 2009-10 was ending with clear signs of economic rebound and the growth would rise to about 8.5 per cent in the next fiscal.

This is what the Economic Survey 2009-10 says!
A day before the Budget, the Economic Survey on Thursday predicted up to 8.75 per cent growth in 2010-11 while recommending a gradual roll back of stimulus -- a move that could entail hike in excise duty and service tax.This is what the Economic Survey 2009-10 says!

India's civil aviation recovers in 2009
On the Rs 20,000-crore (Rs 200-billion) modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, the survey said work is in progress, adding that while the Delhi Airport project is likely to be completed by 2010, work at Mumbai airport will be over by 2012.

Banks fail to bring down rates; borrowers tap other sources
The RBI has been revising down its policy rates since the outbreak of the global financial crisis in September 2008.

Indian pharma industry 3rd largest globally: Survey
The growth of the Indian pharmaceutical industry has been fuelled by exports, which increased 25 per cent in 2008-09. "Exports of pharmaceuticals have consistently outstripped imports," the Survey said.

'High food prices may lead to higher inflation'
On a year-on-year basis, Wholesale Prices-based inflation in December 2009 was 7.3 per cent, while food inflation was 19.77 per cent

Free food, fertiliser, diesel prices: Survey
Already, the government's resources are strained due to various fiscal stimulus and the Survey has separately noted that high growth environment creates scope for partial rollback of these stimuli.

FM to consider tax plea of coop banks
The delegation, which was led by Communist Party of India-Marxist member of the Parliament Basudeb Acharia, told Mukherjee that the urban cooperative banks have been put to 'extreme hardship' due to the hefty 30 per cent tax on profits.

FIIs back on track; invests Rs 87,987 cr in 2009
After a lull in 2008, Indian equities once again became the favourite bet for foreign funds, who pumped in nearly Rs 88,000 crore (Rs 880 billion) in domestic shares in 2009, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.

Survey seeks more fund for infrastructure development
The pre-Budget document on health of the economy stated that telecom, power, coal, ports, civil aviation and roads have shown signs of recovery in 2009-10.

Govt begins work on 5 more mega power projects
The government has so far awarded four UMPPs to successful developers. One such project is being developed by Tata Power at Mundra in Gujarat while three others -- Sasan in Madhya Pradesh, Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Tilaiya in Jharkhand have been bagged by Reliance Power.

Survey slams ports' performance
As one of the remedial measures, it has called for better connectivity of ports with hinterland to avoid congestions and faster movement of goods.

Relax FDI in insurance, banking: Survey
The Economic Survey 2009-10 on Thursday made out a strong case for liberalising foreign direct investment policies for health insurance, rural banking and higher education, stating FDI can boost trade in services.

CPSEs hold ground in rough global weather
Public sector companies did not allow themselves to be bogged down by the global slowdown and kept increasing their investments in 2008-09, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.

Survey asks for gradual roll back of stimulus
With the stimulus measures primarily comprising cut in indirect taxes, the Survey said there is likely to be a shortfall in tax collections under these heads.

Industrial outlook bright, says Survey
Lauding the strong industrial performance, the Economic Survey on Thursday asked the government to ensure a balance and sustained growth as certain sectors have failed to see a revival in 2009-10.

Survey for more stimulus to export sector
Amid the debate on withdrawal of the stimulus, including speculation of a possible across-the-board roll back of cuts in excise duty and service tax, the document suggested further reduction in excise for export oriented industries.

Highlights of the Economic Survey
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday tabled the Economic Survey for 2009-10 that says that economic recovery is weak and the high double-digit food inflation in 2009-10 is a matter of great concern.