'Modi-made jobs famine' in the country caused by the 'Modani-karan' of the economy, says Congress

Pic: PTI File

The Congress party launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party government on Sunday, blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what it termed as a "Modi-made jobs famine," characterizing it as the pinnacle of injustice over the past 10 years.

The Congress general secretary, Jairam Ramesh, pointed to an analysis of long-term job creation trends in the Indian labor market to criticize the government's track record on employment. In a post on X, Ramesh highlighted Rahul Gandhi's emphasis on "Yuva Nyay (justice for the youth)" during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

Ramesh attributed the jobs crisis in the country to the "Modani-karan (Modani-sation)" of the economy, citing a new analysis by a leading economist at the London School of Economics. According to the analysis, Ramesh claimed that fewer people are employed compared to a decade ago, and the youth are disproportionately affected, with wages on the decline, newswire PTI reported.

He further alleged that the percentage of employed Indians is still lower than it was 10 years ago. Ramesh emphasized that under the Modi government, the youth unemployment rate has peaked, surpassing eight percent, significantly higher than the four percent recorded a decade ago.

According to the analysis, Ramesh asserted that Prime Minister Modi has managed to decrease the share of workers receiving a salary for the first time in over 30 years. He claimed that despite having jobs, the earnings of salaried workers are 12 percent lower than five years ago, while rural laborers' earnings are 5 percent lower.

Accusing the Prime Minister of favoring his "crony industrialist friends," Ramesh alleged that India's resources are being handed over to a select few, compromising the future of the country's youth. He criticized the concentration of profits among the top 20 companies, claiming that in 2014, the market was fairer compared to the current scenario.

Ramesh also pointed fingers at the rise in wealth of industrialist Adani, alleging that the Prime Minister generously gifted him major projects. The Congress leader raised concerns about job creation and criticized the Modi government's decisions, including corporate tax cuts and loan waivers, accusing it of benefiting the Prime Minister's associates.

Summing up, Ramesh concluded, "India's Modi-made jobs famine, as a result of the Modani-karan of the economy, is the height of ANYAY-KAAL of the last 10 years." The Congress has consistently criticized the government's economic policies, expressing concerns over rising unemployment and inflation. (With inputs from agencies)