Expeditious implementation of major programmes to lift GDP by 1-1.5 per cent: Assocham

NEW DELHI: Laying out a roadmap for execution of various schemes and roll out of policies by the government, industry body Assocham today said expeditious implementation of the major programmes unveiled will lift the country's GDP growth by at least 1-1.5 per cent.

As a part of the agenda, the chamber suggested execution of 159 public-private-partnership infrastructure projects which have already been approved under the Viability Gap Funding, involving total investment of Rs 80,894 crore. It also called for achieving the road and highways building targets for the current fiscal.

Moreover, it said the Railways must spend its Plan Outlay under of Rs 47,650 crore without allowing any slippages, utilising of the surplus cash by PSUs towards capacity expansion.

"The investment promise of Rs 2.48 lakh crore should be fulfilled by March 31, 2015. It is a huge money which will kick-start investment cycle," the chamber said.

It further urged for disinvestment of state-owned firms as outlined in the Budget, achieving the fiscal deficit target of 4.1 per cent without cutting the Plan Expenditure, speedy roll out of Goods and Services Tax, focus on the Rs 10,000 crore venture capital fund, building 100 smart cities and ease of doing business for exporters, among others.