Jairam Ramesh Criticizes Modi Govt Over Census and Budget

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the Modi government for not conducting the Census and for Finance Minister's budget ignoring funds for the Population Census. He also alleged the budget's focus on employment and agriculture is insufficient. Rahul Gandhi termed the budget as 'Kursi Bachao.'

On Tuesday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the Modi government for failing to conduct the Census and claimed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget speech overlooked funds for the decadal Population Census scheduled for 2021. In a post on X, Ramesh asserted the government will continue to evade the Socio-Economic Caste Census.

"It is highly disappointing that the Finance Minister's announcement on Data and Statistics makes no mention of releasing funds for the decadal Population Census that was supposed to have taken place in 2021, but has still not been conducted," Ramesh noted. He emphasized that this is the first time since Independence that the government failed to conduct a timely Census, impacting the state's administrative capabilities and excluding 10-12 crore individuals from the National Food Security Act. He also suggested the government would likely continue avoiding the Socio-Economic Caste Census.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, labeled the budget as "Kursi Bachao," accusing the government of making hollow promises to allies and providing benefits to cronies, with no relief for common Indians. He criticized it as a "Copy and Paste" job from Congress' manifesto. Ramesh further claimed the budget’s emphasis on employment generation is inadequate and belated, focusing more on posturing than actionable measures. He also highlighted the reduced allocation for Agriculture and Allied Budget, stressing the necessity for greater support amidst poor monsoon impacts. Ramesh argued that demands for MSP legal status and a farm loan waiver have been ignored by the government.