Government permits NHAI, PFC, others to raise Rs 31,300 crore via bonds

NEW DELHI: Centre today approved a proposal to raise around Rs 31,300 crore by NHAI, PFC, REC, IREDA, NABARD and Inland Water Authority through issuance of bonds this fiscal for augment infrastructure spending. "Union Cabinet under Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for raising a total of Rs 31,300 crore in the financial year 2016-17 and to

service the principal and interest against the Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR) of Rs 16,300 crore by Government of India to augment infrastructure spending," said a press release. According to statement, out of the EBR of Rs 31,300 crore, it is proposed to finance the funds to be raised by Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) by Government of India.

This implies that the principal and the interest in respect of the EBR of Rs 16,300 crore to be raised by PFC, IREDA, IWAI, and NABARD shall be financed by Government of India by making suitable budget provisions in the Demand of respective Ministries/Departments.

The move is intended to supplement the efforts of the Government to improve infrastructure spending and to improve the revenue-capital mix of the expenditure for a more sustainable growth.

Infrastructure spending is one of the key parameters to judge the sustainability of growth in a country. The proportion of capital expenditure to the total expenditure is the yardstick to measure this.

The government had made announcement in the Budget that it will permit mobilisation of additional finances to the extent of 31,300 crore by NHAI, PFC, REC, IREDA, NABARD and Inland Water Authority through raising of bonds during 2016-17. 

Government permits NHAI, PFC, others to raise Rs 31,300 crore via bonds