PMEAC pegs GDP growth at 8.2% this fiscal

Amid a difficult global economic scenario, India's GDP growth will slow down to 8.2% in the current fiscal and the inflation rate is expected to remain high at 9% till October, the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council said today.

In its report on the state of economy, the PMEAC said: "The projected growth rate of 8.2%, though lower than the previous year, must be treated as high and respectable given the current world situation."

It further said that the global economic and financial situation was unlikely to improve (in the foreseeable future) and this could impact the domestic economy.

The Indian economy grew by 8.5% in the last fiscal, ended March 31, 2011.

The PMEAC's projection for 2011-12 is higher than the 8% growth forecast made by the Reserve Bank in its annual monetary policy, but it is lower than the government's target of 8.5%.

On inflation, the PMEAC said that it was likely to come down to 6.5% by March, 2012, but would remain high at 9% till October.

"There will be some relief starting from November and (inflation) will decline to 6.5% by March, 2012," it said.

Hinting at further interest rate hikes, the PMEAC also said the RBI would have to continue with its monetary tightening policy measures to contain inflation.

The RBI has already hiked benchmark rates 11 times since March, 2010, as part of efforts to tame inflation.

Headline inflation has been above 9% since December, 2010.