GROWTH 2 LAST

According to the CSO's advance estimates, growth in According to the CSO's advance estimates, growth in electricity, gas and water production is likely to decline to 4.9 per cent in 2012-13, from 6.5 per cent in 2011-12. During the current fiscal, the trade, hotel, transport and communication sectors are projected to grow by 5.2 per cent, as against 7 per cent last fiscal. Community social and personal services growth however would be slightly better at 6.8 per cent, compared to 6 per cent in previous fiscal. Overall, the 5 per cent growth in the advanced estimates is lower than what experts have been forecasting. Yesterday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had said that the Indian economy would grow by 5.4 per cent in 2012-13, but should pick up to six per cent in next fiscal. The Indian economy had expanded by 8.4 per cent in both 2010-11 and 2009-10, while growth in 2008-09 was 6.7 per cent. The advance GDP estimates are released by the CSO before the end of a financial year to enable the government to formulate various estimates for inclusion in the Budget. PTI JD KKS SA