''Satisfactory''
that''s the verdict of the country''s top economists who
presented their mid year review of the economy. They are
impressed with some sectors, but say Lalu Prasad''s railways
turnaround story is only a hype, reports CNBC-TV18.
The
aviation sector has passed with flying colours
in the mid-year review of the Indian economy by leading
economists. Even though losses continue to mount, the
expert panel believes that Indian aviation will weather
the current turbulence.
Sharing
top honours with aviation are consistent performers, IT
and BPO sectors, which continue to consolidate
their growth and profits. But while the economy seems
to be running on autopilot, politicians continue to play
spoilers.
"It
is dissappointing that the politicians think that its
business as usual. They are not noticing that India has
changed for the better," said Surjit Bhalla of Principal
O(x)us Investments.
Surprisingly,
the much-talked railways turnaround hasn''t impressed
these independent observers. They feel the Lalu Prasad''s
miracle is more hype than reality. Even the government
flagship programme, The National Rural Employment Scheme,
has left them cold. A 2.5-per cent growth in employment,
is not good enough, say economists.
The
worst performer and perhaps the most controversial is
education. Analysts believe further liberalisation is
the only way to re-enrgise this sector. Healthcare,
and agriculture also remain concern areas for economists.
But there is consensus on the fact that the hype about
India is real.
So
while the politicians get an F- and the overall grade
is largely A, the real A+ performer is the individual
the individual farmer, entrepreneur, capitalist
and worker. These are the people who drive the 9 per cent
growth achieved this year.
Nevertheless,
optimism is still intact. Steps taken in infrastructure
development, experts believe, will bear fruits within
the next 3 or 4 years.
On the whole, it is a satisfactory report card and unless
there is no great policy or economic reversal, economists
believe, we should be on target to match the dragon or
even beat it by 2010.
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