Congress Criticizes Economic Survey Ahead of Union Budget

The Congress party has criticized the recently released Economic Survey, alleging it offers a 'cherry-picked' view of India's economy. Highlighting persistent issues such as high food inflation, unequal economic recovery, and a struggling manufacturing sector, Congress calls for policy changes to address gig worker protections, minimum wage hikes, and social-protection expansions.

The Congress party accused the government on Monday of presenting a 'cherry-picked' view of the economy in the recently released Economic Survey. They claimed that India is in its 'most precarious and difficult' economic state in years.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Economic Survey 2023-24 in the Lok Sabha. This annual document reviews the state of the economy before the Union Budget.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stressed the need for measures such as gig worker protections, minimum wage hikes, and expanded social protection schemes. He criticized the government's economic policies, citing unchecked food inflation and an unequal recovery post-COVID-19.

Ramesh also pointed out issues affecting the manufacturing sector and rural India, labeling the Economic Survey as an 'all is well' narrative that fails to hide the government's policy shortcomings. He concluded with a call for adopting the Congress's suggested policies for economic improvement.

(With inputs from agencies.)