Crude prices a risk to economy - FM
Drowned in the cacophony of Rahul mantra in the AICC Plenary in Hyderabad, there was of course serious statements made by serious persons like our Finance Minister. He said that High crude oil prices pose a risk to the Indian economy but added that he expected economic growth to exceed 7 per cent in the fiscal year ending March 2006. He said, "There are some risks (to the economy) and I want you to be aware of the risks. The first risk is crude oil”. "I have been repeatedly saying that this year we'll show growth not less than 7 per cent," a confident Mr. Chidambaram said with his patent smile adding, "I hope to say with a smile on my face that growth was higher than 7 per cent. That would make everyone happy because that is the growth that is the antidote to poverty." Maybe the only one in the audience who understood what he was saying was Dr. Man Mohan Singh. The rest of the restive crowd only wanted pearls of wisdom from the great Rahul Gandhi who modestly admitted that he was still in the learning process.