The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) said that as per the revised estimates, agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors are expected to record a growth of 7.6 per cent, instead of 5.3 per cent estimated earlier.

The GDP growth rate would have been even higher had it not been for downward revision in the estimates for most other sectors, including mining, manufacturing, construction, trade, hotels, transport, communication, financing, insurance, real estate, and business services.

The growth rate of the mining sector during 1998-99 is now estimated at a negative 2.0 per cent,compared with 0.1 per cent earlier. Similarly, growth estimates of the manufacturing sector have been revised downwards to 5.2 per cent, from 5.7 per cent.

Meanwhile, according to the CSO's advanced estimates for the fourth quarter of 1998-99, the economy has shown an impressive 8.4 per cent growth during January-March, compared to last year.

According to the advanced estimates, the agriculture sector recorded an impressive 13.7 per cent in the last quarter of 1998-99, while the manufacturing sector grew at 5.5 per cent.

As per the estimates for 1998-99, the GDP at factor cost at constant (1993-94) prices stood at Rs 11,12,206 crore, against the earlier estimate of Rs 11,09,983 crore.

The national income at 1993-94 prices was revised to Rs 9,81,796 crore, from the earlier estimate of Rs 9,79,573 crore during 1998-99.

The per capita income in real terms at 1993-94 prices during 1998-99 is estimated to attain a level of Rs 10,070, against the earlier estimate of Rs 10,047. Compared to this, the quickestimates for 1997-98 is Rs 9,660.

The growth in the per capita income is estimated at 4.2 per cent during 1998-99, against the previous year's estimate of 3 per cent, the CSO said.

The per capita income at current prices during 1998-99 is estimated to attain a level of Rs 15,038, compared to the quick estimates of Rs 13,913 for 1997-98.

The CSO, which is releasing the quarterly estimates for the first time, said the quarterly GDP estimates would henceforth be released on the last working day of each quarter.