City
Epaper

Centre's fiscal deficit to be about 3.7% in FY20: Moody's

By IANS | Updated: November 27, 2019 19:20 IST

Ratings agency Moody's Investors Service has projected Centre's fiscal deficit to be about 3.7 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019-20, which will be slightly wider than the 3.4 per cent posted in fiscal 2019.

Open in App

The government has kept a fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent of the GDP for 2019-20.

The agency, in a report, said the persistent spending pressures and slower economic growth will result in continued widening of the fiscal deficit.

"At fiscal year-end March 2020 (fiscal 2020), we project government deficit will be about 3.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) for the Central government and around 3 per cent for states, adding up to a general government deficit of about 6.7 per cent," the report said.

In the report, the agency cited that large fiscal deficits of some state governments will also constrain Centre's medium-term consolidation goals.

According to the agency, Indian states, which do not generate sufficient revenue sources for their spending needs, remain dependent on Central government's grants. These states have recorded larger deficits in recent years.

"The introduction of the GST replaced many indirect taxes previously levied by the states, reducing the share of own source revenue in their total revenue. As a result, states now rely on the Central government or the GST Council for a majority of their revenue, with variations across states," the report said.

"Moreover, GST revenue has been below expectations since its launch, though the Central government has agreed to compensate states for any revenue shortfalls due to the GST for five years."

States' gross borrowing needs are budgeted at Rs 7.5 trillion ($104 billion or 3.4 per cent of the national GDP) for fiscal 2020, a 28 per cent increase over fiscal 2019. levels.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIsrael violates Gaza ceasefire almost 500 times in 44 days, hundreds of Palestinians killed

InternationalJapan aims to foster innovation, growth in areas of semiconductors, AI with India

CricketPakistan Shaheens Win Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 After Dramatic Super Over Thriller vs Bangladesh (VIDEO)

NationalSC to hear Delhi Police arguments today against bail in 2020 riots case

Other SportsSultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025: India begin their campaign with a 1-0 win against Korea

कारोबार Realted Stories

BusinessNitin Gadkari highlights need to use technology, AI to boost farmers' incomes

BusinessPM Modi calls for global AI compact at G20 summit; announces summit in India

BusinessHave set trade target of 50 billion USD by 2030 with Canada: PM Modi

BusinessG20 Summit: South Korea, India to forge deeper cooperation in economy, security

BusinessJ&K to host launch of 1st limestone block auction roadshow tomorrow