India News

As GDP slumps to three-year low at 5.7 %, Congress hits out at Centre over DeMo, GST

Published

9 years ago

September 1, 2017

As GDP slumps to three-year low at 5.7 %, Congress hits out at Centre over DeMo, GST

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The disappointing GDP figures for the April-June quarter come at a time when the Centre is already facing harsh criticism over the purported failure of demonetisation, with the RBI claiming that 99 per cent of banned notes made their way back to various commercial banks

Even as the Centre was trying hard to defend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 10-month old demonetisation move amid counter-claims that almost established how the move to curb black money had failed miserably, the latest GDP figures – 5.7 per cent for the April-June quarter – have further strengthened the argument that noteban was bad for the economy.

On Thursday, data released by the government revealed that the economic growth of India had slipped to a three-year low of 5.7 per cent in April-June, possibly due to disruptions caused by demonetisation and the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax regime and a slowdown of the manufacturing sector which itself was a result of a combination of noteban and GST rollout. GDP stood at 6.1 per cent in the preceding quarter. A revised growth of 7.9 per cent had been pegged by the government for the first quarter of 2016-17.

The latest GDP data has come, by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley’s own confession, as a “matter of concern”. The Congress party – which had been steadfast in its criticism of demonetisation and also the manner in which the GST rollout took place – has expectedly hit out at the Centre for the slump in the GDP growth figures.

As businesses destocked inventories ahead of the GST kick-off from July 1, gross value added (GVA) in manufacturing declined to a low of 1.2 per cent, from 10.7 per cent, year on year. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the first quarter of 2017-18 was lower than 6.1 per cent of the preceding one and 7.9 per cent in the same period last fiscal.

The finance minister admitted that the slump in the GDP was fuelled by the GST rollout, although he didn’t count demonetisation as a reason for the same. “Since it was announced that GST would come into operation from July 1, most manufacturers were de-stocking during period April-June. As a result, trading went up because sales were taking place but it was stocks which were being sold. No new manufacturing happened,” Jaitley said, adding that the slump in GDP “seems to be the pre-GST impact of de-stocking”.

When asked about whether the GDP can grow at 7 percent this fiscal, Jaitley said, “I am hopeful, because of the pre-GST de-stocking, this would really be the bottoming out.”

Former finance minister P Chidambaram, who has already been vociferous in his criticism of the manner in which the GST rollout took place and of demonetisation since the RBI admitted that 99 per cent of banned Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes had been deposited back with the banks, took to Twitter to hit out at the Centre over the decline in the GDP numbers, which he called a “catastrophe”.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Economic experts too admitted that the slump in GDP was due to a combination of the GST rollout and impact of demonetisation.

Abheek Barua, Chief Economist of the HDFC BANK said, “GDP numbers are certainly disappointing. The numbers seem to suggest that the slowdown from last quarter has intensified due to the combination of long-term slowdown and temporary shock factors like demonetisation and GST (goods and services tax) destocking… We have to revise our GDP outlook numbers for the full year closer or perhaps lower than 7 percent.”

Noted economist Arup Kumar too expressed similar views, saying “demonetisation has been a complete and utter failure and its impact on the GDP growth figures is evident… the GST rollout too has taken its toll on economic growth and I don’t see the impact of either of these factors, especially demonetisation, waning for at least another quarter”.

It is perhaps timely to recall that in late November 2016, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had – while addressing the Rajya Sabha – called demonetisation a ‘mammoth tragedy’ and warned about a 2 percent hit on GDP in the aftermath of the demonetisation. The Narendra Modi government and demonetisation cheerleaders had then rubbished Singh’s prophecy. After 10 months of demonetisation, with no major tangible gains from the exercise and a severe hit on the economy, Dr Manmohan Singh is probably having the last laugh now.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India News

Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

9 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

14 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

19 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.