New Delhi: The Congress party launched a scathing attack on the central government on Friday, just before the Union budget presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23. The party criticized the government on several fronts, including joblessness, inflation, economic inequality, consumption, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and trade imbalance.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate described the budget as representing a ‘ruined economic landscape,’ accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being detached from the realities of ‘real India’. She argued that the budget would reflect this detachment, benefiting only a select few. In a post on X addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of misleading the public on employment issues. “By telling one lie after another on jobs, you are rubbing salt in the wounds of the youth!” he said, questioning discrepancies in data between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Shrinate highlighted worsening economic inequality in India, claiming it to be more severe than during British rule. She pointed out that the top 1% of India's population now owns 40.10% of the country’s wealth, while the bottom 50% controls only 6.40%. She also targeted the government over rising inflation and falling income levels. “Inflation is on the rise, coupled with a fall in income levels. Nearly 48% of families in this country are suffering from falling income and rising prices, leading to increased dependency on savings to survive,” Shrinate stated.

According to Shrinate, food inflation has consistently remained above 9%. “High prices and rising inflation have severely impacted the poor and middle class. The reality today is that people have to pay more for food, clothes, and transport,” she said. Addressing the issue of joblessness, Shrinate emphasized the need for it to be a top priority in this year’s budget. She cited the impact of demonetization, GST, and COVID-19, which she claimed resulted in a loss of 10.6 million jobs in the informal sector and 270,000 central PSU jobs. She also noted the rise in contract workers from 13% in 2013 to 43% in 2022.

Shrinate expressed concern over muted consumption in the country, despite price cuts in the FMCG sector. She also highlighted falling consumption in the automobile sector, with an inventory of about Rs. 60,000 crore worth of unsold cars. Discussing FDI and trade issues, Shrinate criticized the government for ‘sluggish’ FDI levels and a rising trade imbalance. She pointed out that India has a trade deficit with nine out of its top ten trading partners. Specifically, she mentioned the $118 billion bilateral trade with China, of which $80 billion is a trade deficit. “We are funding the Chinese army for their incursions into our country and making them rich,” she said.

Shrinate also criticized the Modi government over the falling value of the rupee against the dollar. “PM Modi once said that his dignity is linked with the value of the rupee. He inherited it at 58 to a dollar, and now it is 84 rupees to a dollar,” she noted. She further accused the government of reducing investment in agriculture, education, and health sectors. Shrinate concluded by alleging that the BJP has created monopolies across various sectors, from steel and cement to telecom and aviation.

President Murmu Appoints Permanent Judges for Bombay and Delhi High Courts

Sanjay Raut Responds to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Statement

Goods Train Derails Near Valsad in Gujarat, No Injuries Reported