Economy will inch towards 8% growth in FY19 and onwards, says Pranab Mukherjee

Kolkata: Former president Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday expressed hope that Indias economy will inch towards 8 percent growth in 2018-19 fiscal and onwards. Mukherjee, however, said that to sustain such a growth rate for the longer term, the country will need to address issues like employability for the youth and boosting the rural economy. “It may be in 2018-19 and onwards, it (India) will move towards 8 percent annual GDP growth if there is no eventual setback from unexpected quarters,” he said at a session organised by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce here. [caption id=“attachment_2807188” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of former President Pranab Mukherjee. Reuters[/caption] Mukherjee said the agriculture sector needs focus, along with allied areas like rural infrastructure, rural health, rural education, rural sanitation and rural housing. He said empowering the growing young population of India and preparing them for employability was of paramount importance. “In a short of span of time, 48 percent of India’s population is going to be below the age of 40 … unless you give them employment, enhance employability, train them, make them available to the world labour market … this is a challenge in the growth of GDP on a sustainable basis,” the former finance minister said. Mukherjee exuded confidence that the Indian economy has the resilience to address challenges, find out appropriate solutions and take corrective measures. “But mere policy formations are not adequate, it needs effective implementation,” he added.