The Planning Commission says it will be a challenging task to achieve 9 per cent annual economic growth during the 12th Five Year Plan amid tough global economic environment.

Talking to media persons in New Delhi, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia said that right now, the global economy does not look good. At the moment he feels that 9% annual economic growth rate is still feasible but more difficult than it was six months ago.

The Commission has projected 9 per cent annual average economic growth during 2012-2017, in the Approach document to the 12th Plan. It was approved by country’s apex planning body, National Development Council, headed by the Prime Minister in October last year.
The panel had also estimated economic growth of 8.2 per cent in the current Plan from earlier envisaged 9 per cent.