NDA pledges 8-10 pc growth for next five years Thursday, April 8 2004 17:16 Hrs (IST)
New Delhi:
Unveiling its economic agenda, NDA (National Democratic Alliance) today (Apr 8, 2004) promised to push up growth to 10 per cent, speed up the financial, pension and tax reforms, including incentives for states to switch over to Value Added Tax and revisit FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) limit in insurance segment.
Besides carrying out fiscal reforms and restructuring of States' debts, the NDA agenda for development released in New Delhi, said revenue deficit in every State would be wiped out by 2006 and political consensus would be evolved to reduce unproductive expenditure and enhance States' own resources.
The agenda promised a separate Ministry for International Trade to capture opportunities in global trade and promote Special Economic Zones and multi-commodities exchanges and remove internal trade barriers.
"Our goal is 8-10 per cent growth rate on a sustainable basis over the next five years with eradication of poverty by 2015," the 36-page agenda said outlining the seven-pronged strategy to make India a global super power.
The strategy would be to make India a global food factory, manufacturing hub, service provider, knowledge economy, tourism, healthcare and education destination.
In a bid to provide housing for all by 2010 and reduce black money generation, it said States would be encouraged to repeal the Urban Land Ceiling Act, amend Rent Control Act and reduce stamp duties on property transactions and lease agreements.
On WTO (World Trade Organisation) issues, it said the NDA would continue to defend the country's interests, particularly that of farmers.