Congress Accuses Modi of Distorting Job Figures Amidst Growing Economic Concerns
In a blistering attack ahead of the upcoming Parliament session, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “embellishing” job creation figures and “trivializing” the plight of India’s youth.
Mr. Kharge’s condemnation stems from Mr. Modi’s recent assertion that “eight crore new jobs” have been generated in the past three to four years, a claim based on a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report. However, Mr. Kharge contends that this figure is misleading and contradicts data from other sources.
Discrepancies in Job Data Exposed
The Congress leader highlighted inconsistencies between the RBI report and findings from the International Labour Organization (ILO). While the RBI report suggests a 2.1 crore increase in employment between 2012 and 2019, the ILO report indicates a meager two lakh increase during the same period. Mr. Kharge questioned the veracity of the RBI’s data, emphasizing that both reports rely on the government’s Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
Furthermore, Mr. Kharge pointed to the PLFS data, revealing that a staggering 37% of working women in India remain unpaid, with this figure reaching an alarming 43% in rural areas. He also cited the government’s Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), which indicates a loss of 54 lakh jobs in the informal manufacturing sector over seven years due to demonetization, a flawed GST implementation, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Economic Disparities and Misplaced Optimism
Mr. Kharge argued that even if the RBI data were accurate, it does not warrant celebration. The report suggests that 2.3 crore individuals who lost their jobs during the pandemic have been forced to resort to agricultural labor, a concerning trend indicating a lack of recovery in the formal sector.
Additionally, the Congress chief raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the RBI’s methodology, particularly its omission of sector-wise employment data, which had been provided in previous reports. He urged Mr. Modi to refrain from “misrepresenting” data and to fulfill his promise of creating two crore jobs per year.
Congress Highlights Broader Economic Woes
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate echoed Mr. Kharge’s concerns during a press conference, drawing attention to various economic indicators that underscore India’s economic vulnerabilities. She pointed to declining incomes, dwindling savings, and the alarming statistic that 48% of Indian families are grappling with financial hardships.
Ms. Shrinate attributed these economic challenges to the government’s “mismanagement” and “impulsive” policy decisions, which she claims have cost the economy ₹11.3 lakh crore and resulted in the loss of 1.6 crore informal sector jobs.
Summary
Congress is accusing the Prime Minister of using misleading data to paint a rosy picture of job creation, while they point to other data that suggests the opposite. They argue that the RBI’s figures are questionable and that the government’s policies have actually led to job losses and economic hardship for many Indians.
| Key Points |
|---|
| Congress disputes PM Modi’s claim of 8 crore new jobs, citing contradictory data from the ILO and PLFS. |
| PLFS data reveals 37% of working women are unpaid, rising to 43% in rural areas. |
| Informal manufacturing sector lost 54 lakh jobs in 7 years due to demonetization, GST, and COVID-19. |
| 2.3 crore individuals forced into agricultural labor due to pandemic-related job losses. |
| Congress criticizes lack of transparency in RBI’s methodology and omission of sector-wise employment data. |
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