New Delhi: In a vindication of the "feel good" claims of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government, the economic growth of the country jumped to double digit levels at 10.4 per cent during the third quarter of the current fiscal on the back of good performance by industry and agriculture.

During April-December, 2003-04 GDP (gross domestic product) grew by 8.2 per cent as against 4.1 per cent during the same period of last year.

The GDP growth had stood at 8.4 per cent during the second quarter and 5.7 per cent during the first quarter of 2003-04.

The 48-page vision document of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released yesterday (Mar 30, 2004) has also proposed to further broaden and deepen economic reforms through a "self-reliant" approach for sustained double-digit growth.

According to figures released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), quarterly GDP at factor cost at constant (1993-94) prices for Q3 of 2003-04 is estimated at Rs 3,86,627 crore as against Rs 3,50,290 crore in Q3 of 2002-03, showing a growth rate of 10.4 per cent.

The growth during second quarter stood at 8.4 per cent and during the first quarter of the current fisal at 5.7 per cent.

The high GDP has been made possible by a 7.4 per cent growth in manufacturing sector and 16.9 per cent growth in "agriculture, forestry and fishing" sector, the CSO figures reveal.

According to information furnished by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, which has been used in compiling the estimates of GDP from agriculture in Q3 of 2003-04, the production of rice, coarse cereals, pulses and oilseeds has increased by 22.3 per cent, 38.3 per cent, 32 per cent and 84.4 per cent respectively during the kharif season of 2003-04.

Production of cotton is also expected to rise by 42.1 per cent, while that of sugarcane is expected to decline by 9.3 per cent, during 2003-04 over the estimates of the previous year.

Among other sectors that registered significant growth in Q3 of 2002-03 are "electricity, gas and water supply" at 5.2 per cent, "construction" at 5.1 per cent, "trade, hotels, transport and communication" at 13.1 per cent and "financing, insurance, real estate and business services" at 7.7 per cent.