Congress Criticizes Commerce Minister Over Inflation Remarks

The Congress criticized Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's comments dismissing food inflation as a basis for interest rate cuts, accusing the government of manipulating unfavorable data. Goyal's remarks at a leadership summit ignited a debate about RBI's rate-setting policies, with Congress emphasizing food inflation's impact on families.

In a sharp retort, the Congress has expressed disapproval over Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's recent remarks on food inflation and interest rates, suggesting that his approach undermines the credibility of official economic data.

During the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit, Goyal suggested that the Reserve Bank of India should overlook food inflation when deciding on interest rate cuts, a statement he emphasized was personal and not governmental.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized Goyal's remarks, stressing the importance of considering food inflation in policymaking due to its significant impact on household budgets, while also challenging the RBI's independence under current government practices.

(With inputs from agencies.)