Overall impact of second wave on economy not likely to be large: K V Subramanian
Chief Economic Adviser K V Subramanian said it would be "difficult to predict exact growth number that the country may achieve as the path for pandemic still remains uncertain"
New Delhi: Chief Economic Adviser K V Subramanian on Monday said the overall impact of the second wave of Covid-19 on the country’s economy is not likely to be large but cautioned about the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic going ahead.
He further said that given the circumstances due to the pandemic, it is difficult to forecast if the country would achieve double-digit growth in the current fiscal.
The Economic Survey 2020-21 released in January this year had projected GDP growth of 11% during the current financial year ending March 2022.
Subramanian said it would be “difficult to predict exact growth number that the country may achieve as the path for pandemic still remains uncertain”.
He, however, said, “The overall economic impact of the second wave is not likely to be large.” Going forward, fiscal and monetary support will be important for the economy, the CEA added.
Observing that there is a need to enhance pace of vaccination, Subramanian said it would help in lowering the likelihood of another Covid-19 wave.
On inflation, he said it is expected to be range-bound and should not exceed the prescribed level. The CEA further said that foodgrains production is projected to be at record levels this fiscal amid the expectation of a normal monsoon.