Are you worried about food-price inflation, especially when monsoons are not expected to be normal?

The problem is the large gap between the WPI and the CPI, which suggests that the supply chain is unable to cope with accelerating growth in income and consumer demand. This issue points at the urgency for reforming the land market, real estate sector, retailing, public transport and food supply chain. It is a long-drawn process but we need to start thinking about it. Nobody has an explanation as to why even after years of almost 3 per cent growth in agriculture the prices are still high. GDP deflator is 6.2 per cent and the private consumption deflator is higher than that. Inflation is there that has to be weighed while making macro-economic policy.

Even though the Congress manifesto does not clearly talk about disinvestment you have mentioned this…

What I am laying down is a five-year perspective of what needs to be done professionally to put the economy on a high growth path. Even if half of it is done, I would be extremely happy.

What are your views on multi-brand retail?

The Economic Survey says that a condition can be put to FDI in retail that the investors may have for five years wholesale outlets as well from where small retailers can also source because the small retailer will not be able to build a supply chain on his own. In this way, others also gain from the supply chain created. It is about finding a middle path to introduce competition and modernisation.

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