Q4 GDP figures overstated? Economists raise doubts over quality of data

Data released on November 29, 2019 showed that GDP grew 5 per cent in the first quarter and 4.5 per cent in the second quarter of FY20

The gross domestic product (GDP) numbers for the fourth quarter of 2019-20 shown by the recent official data, put out by the National Statistical Office, may have been overstated, according to economists.

They said substantial changes in the growth figures for the first three quarters of the year raised doubts on data quality. 

Former chief statistician Pronab Sen is of the view that GDP at current prices for the fourth quarter, shown as Rs 53.3 trillion, has been overstated by Rs 2 trillion. GDP growth is taken on the basis of constant prices. On this parameter, growth crashed to a