Several policy measures on anvil to boost investments: Govt

[1]

Amid declining industrial growth, the government on Thursday said that several policy measures will be taken to arrest the slowdown and boost investments.

"Several policy measures are on the anvil (to prop up investment climate)," Cabinet secretary Ajit Seth said at a high level meeting on manufacturing here.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of negative growth in the manufacturing sector. In July, the country's overall industrial output expanded by just 0.1 per cent cent -- as against 3.7 per cent in the same month last year -- pulled down by decline in manufacturing sector growth.

The worst performer in the Index of Industrial Production has been the manufacturing sector, which constitutes over 75 per cent of the index, showing a decline of 0.7 per cent in July, and 0.9 per cent in the April-July period.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Seth told reporters that growth and investments will certainly happen. "We see things moving here from here on."

Observing that Indian economy has strong fundamentals, he said, "The government is committed to see that there is a growth momentum.''

"We are in the interdependent world where we cannot be immune to whatever is happening in the global economy. So things are difficult and challenging in many countries in the world."

When asked about the clauses on mandatory sourcing of material from domestic suppliers for allowing 100 per cent FDI in single brand retail, and whether there is a cabinet note on the same, Seth said: "While I cannot pre-judge any decision of the Cabinet, but the government is committed to whatever measures needs to be taken will be taken in the due course."

On issues pertaining to certain changes being proposed in the country's tax regime, he said, "I think the Finance Minister's message on August 6 gives fair idea of the way the government is thinking on.

"Certainly, the government would like to see that we have investor friendly environment," Seth added.