Solid demand, milestone reforms to sustain India’s growth: ADB

India's economy will remain on a strong growth path this fiscal and clock a growth of 7.4 per cent aided by implementation of key structural reforms, robust consumer demand and higher agricultural output driven by a good monsoon, predicted an ADB study. Despite moderation in the first quarter of 2016-17, forecast for growth is retained at 7.4 per cent in 2016 on the strength of improved private consumption after recently approved hike in wage and pension and expectations of a healthy monsoon lifting rural income, according to the latest Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2016 Update. As corporates successfully deleverage and bank reform boo, reports PTI. "Legislation to create a national value-added tax should lift investor confidence as this accomplished a key step towards a much more integrated, productive economy," it said. India recently adopted structural reform to attract more foreign direct investment and passed legislation to allow a national tax that will create a more integrated and productive economy, it added. The government intends to implement the goods and services tax (GST) from April 1, 2017. The report said South Asia is now developing into Asia's fastest growing sub-region, driven by solid growth in India. Forecasts in ADO 2016 are retained, with growth seen to slow slightly to 6.9 per cent in 2016 before re-accelerating to 7.3 per cent in 2017.