I waited for a while hoping Modi would be another Vajpayee; he was a pleasant surprise. (Too bad we couldn't make a deal with him). But, it wasn't to be the case. Now he has been in power for over
three years and we can better judge his performance despite the claims of a 56" chest by his diehard fans. It's not too early and not unfair now.
1. the GDP formula change inflated the GDP growth number by as much as 2% point (See the
Al Jazeera report)
View attachment 431272
We see the manipulation of GDPs in the US as well. Politician playing with numbers to look good. Why such an obsession with one number? Votes?
A recent
CNN report has called this a "Jobless Growth" for India over the past 15 years.
Similarly, it's called a "Jobless Recovery" in the US. US has changed the GDP formula at least couple of times, in the 80s (under Reagan) and in the 90s (under Clinton).
For example, a
website compares US Gov't's reported GDP and Unemployment numbers with the formula used in the 80s and 90s. The two graph below shows why the US also has a jobless recovery: no real growth just window dressing to look good??
This site alleges the US GDP "growth" rate is actually negative 2%.
and, if the formula used in 1980 was used today, the unemployment could be as high as 20%+. (Please do verify for yourself this person's claims.)
2. The trend is the last 4 quarters is down and not stopping anytime soon. Both the World-bank and the IMF are still lowering forecast for the current FY18 after being in denial for over a year.
FY-17, Q2: 7.5
FY-17, Q3:7
FY-17, Q4: 6.1
FY-18, Q1: 5.7
That's what you call a trend. The 5.7 growth rate in the last reported quarter, could really be 4.7 or even 3.7 if Mr. Sinha, above, is correct.
3. Youth dividend has been turned on its head according to Sarkar's own numbers. In the same
Al Jazeera report above:
View attachment 431285
One has to wonder with so many mistakes if they weren't done by design? IE force people to leave the cash in the banks and use digital money for transactions. Gov't takes control of your money and you lose the right to pay cash for a legitimate transaction. Take away more of the freedoms.
No worries. I trust your experience over sarkar's number after changes to the formulas anyways. Manipulation of numbers is worse is allegedly worse in the US. More above, the first point.
Exactly. some have said the informal sector created 80-90% of new jobs. With the surgical strike on Indian cash, the so called informal economy (Black market) was targeted according to one narrative. then it was the terrorists, then the rich and powerful and their hordes of cash and then to digitize and modernize.
According to the author of the original article (#1 above), it's not about just part of the picture but the whole picture that matters.
One month not a trend make! Wait for 2 quarter at the very least to see a quarter over quarter trend and more importantly, the impact on jobs and the overall GDP growth.
Mr. Vision, meet Mr. Math. after three years, no job growth and GDP, if it wasn't for the new formula, would be around 4%. Vote for him for another 5 years. Go right ahead make my day.
Everything all of you have told me above makes me more worried. Far from dissuading me, I am beginning to believe the author of the MoneyControl article.