Economic Survey: India 2019-20 GDP Growth Projected At 7%

Exports must form an integral part of India’s growth model because higher savings preclude domestic consumption as the driver of final demand, the survey said.

• With the micro-economic and macroeconomic foundations laid over the last five years, the Indian economy is ready to shift gears so that economic growth, jobs and exports can be pushed up to the next level.
• While it is true that world trade is currently facing some disruptions, India’s share in global exports is so low that it should focus on market share.
• One could even argue that the current disruptions provide an opportunity for India to insert itself into global supply chains.

Diversification of livelihoods is critical for inclusive and sustainable development in agriculture and allied sectors, the survey said.

Agriculture policies should focus on dairying as India is the largest producer of milk; livestock rearing particularly of small ruminants and the fisheries sector, as India is the second largest producer there, the document said.

It added that the thrust should be on micro-irrigation to improve water use efficiency.

• 89 percent of groundwater extracted is used for irrigation. Hence, focus should shift from land productivity to ‘irrigation water productivity’. Thrust should be on micro-irrigation to improve water use efficiency.
• Fertiliser response ratio has been declining over time. Organic and natural farming techniques including Zero Budget Natural Farming can improve both water use efficiency & soil fertility.

Access to fast battery charging facilities needed to increase the market share of electric vehicles, the survey said, adding that better energy policies are required for inclusive growth.

• 2.5 fold increase in per capita energy consumption needed for India to increase real per capita GDP by $5,000 at 2010 prices, and enter upper-middle income group.
• 4-fold increase in per capita energy consumption needed for India to achieve 0.8 Human Development Index score.
• Market share of electric cars only 0.06 percent in India while it is 2 percent in China and 39 percent in Norway.

KV Subramanian has proposed minimum wages to all employees and workers.

• Survey supports rationalisation of minimum wages as proposed under the Code on Wages Bill.
• ‘National Floor Minimum Wage’ should be notified by the central government, varying across five geographical regions.
• Minimum wages by states should be fixed at levels not lower than the ‘floor wage’.
• Minimum wages can be notified based either on the skills or on geographical region or on both grounds.