India to see $210 million daily output loss in Q1: S&P

Initial shock relays through the economy via various channels - labour markets weaker, household incomes lower.

New Delhi: S&P Global Ratings estimates $210 million in lost output daily in India due to the second Covid wave over April-June in a severe scenario model. In a moderate scenario, pandemic peaks end May and mobility 25 to 30 percent below normal before recovering by September.

In a severe scenario, pandemic peaks in late June decline slower, and mobility 40 per cent below normal, normalizes only by year-end. In this scenario, initial shock relays through the economy via various channels – labour markets weaker, household incomes lower. The growth number for FY 21/22 will be significantly influenced by GDP growth outcome for January-March 2021, S&P Global Ratings said.

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More extensive restrictions would prolong the pain of badly hit sectors, including retail and tourism. Halts to domestic air traffic and subdued international travel may dismantle the fragile recovery for airports, the report said.

“Uncertainty very high, starting with the evolution of the pandemic itself. Also, fluid relationship with household and firm behavior. Still, declining mobility may stall activity for at least one if not two quarters. Limited policy space. Downside risk to our 11 percent growth forecast for FY 2021-22”, S&P Global Ratings said.

The report said policy space is constrained by inflation near the top end of the central bank’s target range. Core inflation is also sticky and high, with the latest reading for March at 6.0 per cent. As a result short and long real interest rates, which are nominal rates less expected inflation, are very low. Monetary policy easing likely to be targeted towards specific sectors such as SMEs and focusing more on quantity variables, it added.

“We estimate the Indian government’s fiscal deficit to be around 14 per cent of GDP in fiscal 2021, driving its net debt stock to just over 90% of GDP. India’s nascent economic recovery through March solidified government revenue, but the rapidly developing health crisis could derail progress”, S&P Global Ratings said.

“Our downside scenarios suggest a less robust recovery in government revenues, and the severe downside scenario may entail additional fiscal spending. Amid the second wave, officials have shown a preference for support measures from the central bank rather than additional fiscal interventions”, the report said.

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