Govt's cheery farewell to old FY

GDP data from elsewhere point to revival in global demand; this might help export growth

The government could not have hoped for a better end to financial year 2016-17. It has enough reason to begin 2017-18 (from April 1) with optimism.

Last Monday, the finance minister presented four Bills to parliament, to bring about the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime by July 1. The Lok Sabha passed all by Wednesday; the Rajya Sabha’s suggestions on these would not matter, being money Bills. The GST Council meeting on Friday is expected to finalise the Rules that will set the stage for extensive outreach programmes by the government to sensitise and educate the trade and its