1. Mr. Speaker, Sir
I rise to present the Budget for 2008-09. This House and the United Progressive Alliance Government have bestowed upon me the honour of presenting all five Budgets on behalf of a Government – a rare honour that I have the privilege to share with only one of my distinguished predecessors, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
THE Economy: AN OVERVIEW
2. Honourable Members! The India growth story, so far, has been an absorbing and inspiring tale. Beginning January 1, 2005, the Economy has recorded a growth rate of over 8 per cent in 12 successive quarters up to December 31, 2007. In the first three years of the UPA Government, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 7.5 per cent, 9.4 per cent and 9.6 per cent, resulting in an unprecedented average growth rate of 8.8 per cent. In the current year too, according to the Advance Estimates by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), the growth rate will be 8.7 per cent – although I am confident that we will maintain the average of 8.8 per cent. The drivers of growth continue to be ‘services’ and “manufacturing”, which are estimated to grow at 10.7 per cent and 9.4 per cent, respectively. For further text click here
Posted by krishna Raj 
Posted by krishna Raj 