In what might be cited by Opposition parties as a damning statement of the ruling BJP’s performance at the Centre, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has conceded that economic growth hasn’t been on expected lines during the past few months.

“GDP for 2016-17 reduced to 7.1% from 8% during 2015-16. The growth was pegged at 57% during the first quarter of the current financial year (2017-18) and was 6.3% in the second quarter,” Jaitley informed the Lok Sabha yesterday.

“Growth rate has come down in view of factors such as lack of infrastructure and financial capabilities. Despite this, Indian economy registered a speedy growth during 2015-16. In 2016-17, Indian economy recorded the second fastest rate of growth among the countries in the world.

“With a buoyant economy, we are now concentrating on rural empowerment and in restructuring urban infrastructure, power plants, transport and other production sectors,” Jaitley informed.