Editor's Pick: Better days ahead?

Investment commitments made in the July to September period of the 2021-22 financial year were big enough to lift the total investment commitments made in the entire first half (April-September) of the year 13.5% above the pre-pandemic period. This is after the commitments made in the April to June period saw a decline of 18% from the previous quarter. While investment commitments need not necessarily convert to actual money on the ground, April to June also reassuringly saw growth in "two critical indicators of actual capital spending — project tendering and project contracts." The investment commitments, driven by both government and private entities, are however uneven across sectors. The manufacturing sector accounts for a bulk of the commitments, while infrastructure investments declined significantly. This is attributable to the financial crunch that the States are facing due to the pandemic. The investment commitments from the government sector are coming primarily from the Centre, not from the States. The data on investment commitments strengthen Finance Nirmala Sitharaman's statement that India is set to see strong economic growth. She expects double-digit growth in 2021-22 and close to eight per cent next year. The Finance Ministry has also published a report that sees a stronger economy based on the strengthening of the agricultural sector after a good crop season, an uptick in industrial output and a moderation in inflation. Despite the possibility of a third wave of the pandemic that could end the retail and manufacturing reopenings that are driving the growth, the numbers speak of better days ahead, which is what makes this story important. The Hindu's Editorials Beguiling base: On fuel prices and inflation Aiding Afghans: On G20 meeting on Afghanistan Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. Click here Try out The Hindu's daily news quiz Which vaccine has been recommended for emergency use authorisation (EUA) for two to 18-year-olds? 1. Covishield 2. Moderna 3. J&J 4. Covaxin To find out the answer and play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 14 OCTOBER 2021 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( Better days ahead? [Better days ahead?] Investment commitments made in the July to September period of the 2021-22 financial year were [big enough to lift the total investment commitments]( made in the entire first half (April-September) of the year 13.5% above the pre-pandemic period. This is after the commitments made in the April to June period saw a decline of 18% from the previous quarter. While investment commitments need not necessarily convert to actual money on the ground, April to June also reassuringly saw growth in "two critical indicators of actual capital spending — project tendering and project contracts." The investment commitments, driven by both government and private entities, are however uneven across sectors. The manufacturing sector accounts for a bulk of the commitments, while infrastructure investments declined significantly. This is attributable to the financial crunch that the States are facing due to the pandemic. The investment commitments from the government sector are coming primarily from the Centre, not from the States. The data on investment commitments strengthen Finance Nirmala Sitharaman's [statement]( that India is set to see strong economic growth. She expects double-digit growth in 2021-22 and close to eight per cent next year. The Finance Ministry has also published a [report]( that sees a stronger economy based on the strengthening of the agricultural sector after a good crop season, an uptick in industrial output and a moderation in inflation. Despite the possibility of a third wave of the pandemic that could end the retail and manufacturing reopenings that are driving the growth, the numbers speak of better days ahead, which is what makes this story important. The Hindu's Editorials [Arrow][Beguiling base: On fuel prices and inflation]( [Arrow][Aiding Afghans: On G20 meeting on Afghanistan]( [underlineimg] Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. [Click here]( Try out The Hindu's daily news quiz Which vaccine has been recommended for emergency use authorisation (EUA) for two to 18-year-olds? 1. Covishield 2. Moderna 3. J&J 4. Covaxin To find out the answer and play the full quiz, [click here](. 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