New Delhi: Following are the highlights of Economic Survey 2003-2004, tabled in Parliament today (July 7, 2004):

• Steps to be taken to achieve 7-8 per cent GDP growth



• Expanding industry fast, by at least 10 per cent



• Boosting agricultural growth through diversification



• Emphasis on agro-processing to achieve higher agri growth



• Effecting fiscal consolidation, eliminating revenue deficit



• Maintaining inflation at around five per cent



• Foreign exchange reserve at $ 119.3 billon as of May 31, 2004



• Combined fiscal deficit in 2003-04 at 9.4% of GDP



• Indications of hardening of interest rates in near future



• No disinvestment in profit-making PSUs



• FII inflows up by 1635 per cent in 2003-04 over 2002-03



• Expresses concern over low tele-density and Internet usage



• States get extension to un-bundle SEBs



• Redesign food security framework



• Attract greater investment in infrastructure projects



• Design specific micro strategies for export growth



• Reformulate policy to tackle poverty



• Take steps for attaining 10 pc industrial growth



• Shift focus to corridor management in road construction



• States to cut down fiscal deficits



• Overhaul tax exemptions; strict penalty to curb evasion



• Recommends broad-based Agri-development programme



• Fee hike for higher education



• External debt jumps 6.47% to $112.13 bn till 2003



• Equity markets return 85 pc in 2003-04.