Indian growth slump falls hardest on the poor
INDIA'S poorest did not need to see the country's latest quarterly growth figures yesterday -- showing a four-year slump -- to know the shine has rubbed off the subcontinent's economic miracle.
Hours before the latest gross domestic product results revealed a fourth-quarter growth rate of just 5.3 per cent, millions of workers joined a national strike to protest against a steep increase in petrol prices.
Trains and transport services ground to a halt yesterday and angry mobs blocked roads in some cities.
The dire January-March performance -- the lowest quarterly result since the 2008 global financial crisis -- has slammed the brakes on India's already sluggish economy, forcing annual growth to 6.5 per cent, below the 6.9 per cent predicted, and far below the 8.4 per cent of the previous year.
While a 6.5 per cent growth rate may seem high compared with the struggling economies of Europe, experts say India must expand its economy annually by 9-10 per cent if it is to reduce widespread poverty.
The Confederation of Indian Industry responded to the results by demanding "immediate and bold actions" to salvage the economy. Other analysts also called for the government to "step on the panic button" and institute reforms to stimulate investment.
Despite a growing middle class, India remains a stark study in contrasts. While the poor yesterday rebelled against a government that has presided over a steady increase in the cost of food staples and fuel, a day earlier hundreds of middle-class Delhiites jostled outside India's newest Dunkin' Donuts outlet.
The company announced that its sales in India were almost 30 per cent higher than expected, and 500 new stores are planned for the country.
India's sluggish growth figures will do nothing for the sinking rupee, which hit a new low of 56.47 rupees to the US dollar yesterday. The weakened currency is compounding the misery of the poor by stoking inflation, which is already above 7 per cent.
| The Australian