Oil subsidy may triple to 2.2% of GDP
India's oil subsidy may shoot up three times to 2.2% of the GDP this year even as the government dithers on raising fuel prices in step with the rise in input (crude oil) cost. The country paid $8.7 billion in oil subsidies in 2007 or 0.7% of the GDP. In 2008 when GDP is slated to grow to $1.34 trillion, the subsidy may jump to $18.1 billion at $100 a barrel crude price, and to $23.4 billion at $115. At current market price, it would rise to $29.2 billion, Credit Suisse said in its latest report on subsidies in Asia.