The Indian Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha, says the government's effort to limit this year's fiscal deficit to five-point-six percent is not likely to succeed.

However, the minister rejected predictions that the deficit could end up as high as seven percent.

He said the government would now try to simplify indirect taxes to ensure better collection and would also try to curb government expenditure.

Mr Sinha called for a broader consensus on economic issues and said the government was determined to pass bills on insurance reform and patents amendment in the budget session of Parliament.