Congress lambasts Modi government over failed promises

The Congress on Thursday hit out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government over its failure to fulfil the promises it has made in the last four-and-a-half years.

“The Modi government had promised to enrol 10 crore candidates in Kaushal Vikas Yojana. President’s address today states that only 1 crore were enrolled. 90% of the work is still incomplete,” Congress leader Anand Sharma said while addressing a press conference in New Delhi.

“Government has failed in all its promises. Investment rate too has gone down by 7%. President failed to mention this in his address,” he added.

The Congress leader also attacked President Ramnath Kovind’s address to the joint session of Parliament.

“Unfortunately, the Honourable President of India said that Demonetisation is a major achievement and black money was destroyed. Nothing can be more wrong than this. Barely, 0.01% of currency did not come back to the banking system, whereas the entire country suffered,” Sharma said.

Also read: NSSO report shows unemployment rate is at 45-year high

“95% accounts in Jan Dhan Yojana have 0 balance. Average amount given through MUDRA loans is a meagre ₹23,000,” he added.

Quoting the controversial job report by NSSO, which has not been made public yet, Sharma said that unemployment rate among rural male has increased from 5% to 17.4% after demonetisation, and from 4.8% to 13.6% among rural female.

“Among urban males, unemployment rate increased from 8.1% to 18.7% and among urban females, it increased from 13.1% to 27.2%,”  he said.

He further said that services sector that accounts for over 55% of India’s GDP is also falling and questioned where is the growth.

“Our trades have stagnated and exports have nosedived. During UPA govt, we were increasing our exports at 16% per annum, by 2013-14 only merchandise exports reached to ₹323bn. We should’ve crossed ₹500bn last year. Under Modi govt, we fell to ₹262bn,” the Congress leader said.