Jaitley to investors: Don't panic, trust economy's strength

New Delhi

The Finance Minister said the government will continue to pursue policies to support growth amid global slowdown.

The benchmark BSE Sensex, which crashed by massive 807.7 points yesterday on global cues, was trading up around 100 points in the pre-close session today.

"... it would be a part of prudent investment reaction that the inherent strengthen of Indian economy is kept in mind by investors rather than react disproportionately to what the global developments are," Jaitley said.

The minister said major sell-off in global markets created a chain reaction impacting the markets world over including in India.

"There could be several reasons, which are predominantly outside the country, the uncertainty in the Fed rate or what's happening in Europe or the slowdown anticipated in China. Now, these global factors will remain and will have to be tackled globally by those economies.

"... there need not be any exaggerated panic in India for the reason that India as an economy even in the midst of global slowdown has clearly stood out to maintain a 7.5 per cent plus growth rate," Jaitley said.

The government is formulating policies and "is conscious of the areas of support which are required to be given to the economy and fully committed to providing those support."

Amid global slowdown, Jaitley said services and manufacturing sectors are both recovering and hopefully would improve further on account of monsoon and generate further demand.

Observing that there is a problem of NPAs, Jaitley said, "These are the loans, which have earlier been given by these banks and as a part of prudent policy it has been considered the balance sheets should be transparent. The banks are going to take all steps possible to recover the loans from debtors."

As on September, the gross NPAs of public sector banks have increased to Rs 3.01 lakh crore, as against Rs 2.67 lakh crore in March.

"I think it is (NPA) a problem which will soon come under control. In any case, the volume and extent of the problem should not be exaggerated so as to lead to any panic," he said.

On fund requirement of the banks, he said the government will provide the required capital as they have an important role to play in supporting the Indian economy and their support is also required for further growth.

Last year, the government had announced a revamp plan 'Indradhanush' to infuse Rs 70,000 crore in state-owned banks over four years, while they will have to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from the markets to meet their capital requirements in line with global risk norms Basel III.

As per the blueprint, PSU banks will get Rs 25,000 crore this fiscal and also in the next fiscal. Besides, Rs 10,000 crore each would be infused in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Of the Rs 25,000 crore earmarked for 2015-16, the government has pumped in about Rs 20,088 crore in 13 public sector banks so far.

On further push for GDP growth, Jaitley said the government is formulating policies and "is conscious of the areas of support which are required to be given to the economy and fully committed to providing those support."

Amid global slowdown, Jaitley said, services and manufacturing sectors are both recovering and hopefully would improve further on account of monsoon and generate further demand.