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Finance

India’s Economic Growth in FY21 May Be Negative or Near Zero Due to Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, Says Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi, October 28: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that India’s economic growth in the current financial year may be in the negative zone or near zero amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at the India Energy Forum of CERAWeek, Sitharaman, however, noted that signs of revival are visible now and India would be among the fastest growing nations in the next fiscal. She added that the festive season will further spur the economy which may lead to positive growth in the third and fourth quarters of the current financial year.

The Finance Minister said that the focus of the government is on public spending to boost economic activity. Earlier this month, she had said that another round of stimulus for the economy is not off the table.

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Process & Business Expansion Sales Startup

Steps Taken by Modi Government to Give Relief to MSMEs, to Accelerate the Wheel of Economy That Slowed Down Due to Lockdown

The government has said that the recent steps that it has taken are aimed at giving relief to MSMEs which will in turn accelerate the wheel of economy in India. Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari, during a webinar said that the changing the definition of MSMEs, Scheme of Fund of Funds, Champions portal, extended credits to MSMEs will certainly accelerate the wheels of economy which had slowed down due to lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

During his address, Gadkari informed that loans of about Rs 1,20,000 crore have been disbursed to MSMEs out of Rs 3 lakh crore announced in the relief package. Discussing about the problem of delayed payments, he said that instructions have been given to all Ministries, Departments and PSUs to clear pending bills of MSMEs within 45 days. He also urged all Chief Ministers to issue directions for clearing MSME dues by their State/UT Ministries/Deptts and PSUs on priority. The Minister added that we are closely monitoring the complaints lodged at SAMADHAN Portal also.

Gadkari said this while addressing a Virtual MSME Conclave organized by FICCI Karnataka State Council. The Minister further appealed to all the stakeholders to do away with all kinds of fear and negativity and assured that government is doing everything possible to make the country a super economic power. The Minister informed the participants of the webinar that we are working on the idea of a Land Bank and Social Micro Finance Institution which will be very helpful for entrepreneurs and persons who want to run small shops and businesses.

While discussing Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gadkari said that handloom, handicrafts, khadi industries and agro-based industries should be encouraged especially in 115 aspirational districts in India. He said planning will be taken up for special policies for agricultural, rural and tribal sector because they have huge potential of creating employment.