Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia said that 8 to 9 per cent growth rate is feasible and can be achieved using some concrete and purposeful actions.

Mr. Ahluwalia, while commenting on the forthcoming union budget on July 6, said that the budget will be a popular but growth oriented. However, Mr. Ahluwalia declined to further elaborate the measures taken by Finance Minister in the budget to revive demand across the key economic segments.

The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman said, "The word populist has negative overtones, but I am sure (the) Finance Minister will present a popular Budget. However, we should maintain the mystery of the Budget and you have to wait and see what comes out.''

He added that government's fiscal deficit is very unlikely to grow double digit, though it may increase significantly on accounts of increased borrowing during the fiscal.

It should be recalled that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, himself an economist of international credentials, had asked Union Finance Minister earlier this month that the budget should reflect the priorities and programs of government so that it can meet increased expectations of people in the second term of UPA government.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee already said that the government would pay special attention towards infrastructure sector in a bid to increase demand across key segments and to ensure employment opportunities through increased public spending during the financial year.