Lok Sabha Question No. 1620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Calculation of GDP
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1620 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## CALCULATION OF GDP

1620. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  noticed  that  some  international financial  agencies  have  raised  their  concern  over  the  calculation  of GDP in India;
- (b) if so, the details and the response of the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has noticed that a report of International Labour Organisation has observed that 40 crores of Indians are being pushed to below poverty line; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE) OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE) OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF  PLANNING (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) and (b):   2011-12 series is compliant with the latest international standard  in  the  compilation  of  National  Accounts  viz.  System  of

National  Accounts  (SNA)  2008,  developed  by  the  United  Nations. However, from time to time, independent economists, research agencies, international financial organizations and other experts bring out their own assessment of the economy.  Government  takes note of the concerns expressed by economists and data users, for appropriate policy actions.

The   Ministry  released  a  publication  on  changes  in  methodology  and datasets in the new series of national accounts, which is available on the website of the Ministry. Frequently asked questions on new series along  with  replies  have  also  been  placed  in  the  public  domain.

(c):   It is mentioned in the report of International Labour Organisation (ILO)  namely  'ILO  Monitor:  COVID-19  and  the  world  of  work,  Second edition Updated estimates and analysis' dated 07 April 2020, that 'in India,  with  a  share  of  almost  90  per  cent  of  people  working  in  the informal economy, about 400 million workers in the informal economy are at risk of falling deeper into poverty during the crisis'.

(d): The Government has announced a special economic and comprehensive  package  of  Rs.  20  lakh  crores  -  equivalent  to  10 per cent of India's GDP - to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Apart from various measures to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on the economy  namely, relief measures for Micro, Small and  Medium  Enterprises  (MSMEs),  structural  reforms announced  as part  of  the  Atmanirbhar  Package,  postponing  tax-filing  and  other compliance deadlines, the Government has implemented relief measures  for: households in-kind (food, cooking gas) and cash transfers  to  senior  citizens,  widows,  disabled,  women  Jan  Dhan Account  holders,  farmers;  insurance  coverage  for  workers  in  the healthcare sector; wage increase for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) workers; support for building and  construction  workers;  collateral  free  loans  to  self-help  groups; reduction in EPF contributions; and employment provision for migrant workers (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan).

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