Measures to boost economy to be announced on Monday: Pranab

Concerned over sharp depreciation in rupee and inflationary pressures in the economy, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said government will announce on Monday measures to improve the market conditions.

"The steps we have taken...And we will be able to take certain measures to be announced on Monday which will improve market condition," the Finance Minister told reporters here.

Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs R Gopalan had yesterday consulted RBI Governor D Subbarao, who is aboard, about the measures underway, the Finance Minister said.

Mukherjee who would be resigning tomorrow said,"I would like to say GDP (growth) is at 6.5%. There is inflationary pressure on economy, there is depreciation of Rupee. These are, no doubt, signs of weakness in Indian economy ...I am concerned but I am not depressed".

He said when the global economy is in turmoil,"then no country can expect that there will be pocket of development and particularly a large economy like India which is the third largest in terms of purchasing power parity cannot remain insulated from external factors".

Rupee has lost over 20% against the US dollar in the last one year. It has weakened to over Rs 57 to a dollar, exerting inflationary pressure on the economy, particularly with regard to crude oil imports.

The stock market has lost ground and industrial growth has slipped to 0.1%in April. However, Mukherjee, who has been named as the UPA Presidential candidate said the Indian economy is resilient with strong fundamentals.

The Finance Minister said the period from January to June 6, 2012 saw an inflow of FII money to the tune of USD 8 billion, as against negative flow in 2011. "...FDI stood at USD 46-48 billion which is higher than last fiscal," Mukherjee said.