Gdp Grew At 5.1 Per Cent In 97-98 : Cso

The government yesterday marginally revised upwards the growth in gross domestic product (at factor cost) for 1997-98 to 5.1 per cent. The advance estimates released in February pegged the growth rate at 5 per cent.

The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) yesterday said GDP at factor cost (at 1980-81 prices) is now estimated at Rs 311,887 crore as against Rs 311,828 crore estimated earlier.

The changes in growth rate are visible at the sectoral level, in agriculture, forestry and fishing (now estimated at -1.5 per cent as compared to -2 per cent earlier), in manufacturing (now estimated at 5.8 per cent as compared to 6.1 per cent earlier), in trade, hotel, transport and communication (now estimated at 5.2 per cent as compared to 5.9 per cent earlier) and in community, social and personal services (now estimated at 14.5 per cent as compared to 13.8 per cent earlier). The CSO release estimates the population in 1997-98 at 952 million as compared to 936 million in 1996-97, indicating a growth of 1.7 per cent. The per capita net national product at factor cost is estimated at Rs 2,848 as compared to Rs 2,761 in 1996-97, reflecting a growth of 3.1 per cent.