News Analysis India

Tag: price rise

  • Unemployment, price rise rampant since 2014: Rahul Gandhi

    By PTI

    MEDAK: Continuing the tirade against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AICC leader Rahul Gandhi who is leading the over 3,500 KM Bharat Jodo Yatra on Saturday alleged that unemployment and price rise are rampant since 2014 in the country.

    Speaking in a corner meeting at Peddapur village in Medak district, Gandhi alleged that the NDA government is privatising public sector undertakings such as BHEL and Railways.

    “Whenever I meet youth during the foot march they talk about unemployment. You should understand why there is unemployment in the country. You must have observed that unemployment and price rise are rampant since 2014 in the country,” the Congress leader said.

    He further said farmers and small and medium businesses provide more employment and livelihood to people, than big business houses.

    He called a farmer Nagi Reddy on the dais and asked him to explain the situation of farmers in Telangana.

    After Reddy spoke about the indirect impact of GST on agriculture, Gandhi said Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Agriculture Minister of the state should learn from Nagi Reddy and listen to the problems of farmers across the state.

    He said today, the yatra is aimed to free India from the clutches of unemployment, inflation and “hatred spread by RSS and BJP.”

    Alleging that the TRS and BJP work in tandem, the Gandhi scion said the black farm laws introduced by the NDA government in Parliament were supported by KCR’s party.

    He said people’s support for the Yatra is overwhelming and he is glad to receive the support and love from the public.

    MEDAK: Continuing the tirade against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AICC leader Rahul Gandhi who is leading the over 3,500 KM Bharat Jodo Yatra on Saturday alleged that unemployment and price rise are rampant since 2014 in the country.

    Speaking in a corner meeting at Peddapur village in Medak district, Gandhi alleged that the NDA government is privatising public sector undertakings such as BHEL and Railways.

    “Whenever I meet youth during the foot march they talk about unemployment. You should understand why there is unemployment in the country. You must have observed that unemployment and price rise are rampant since 2014 in the country,” the Congress leader said.

    He further said farmers and small and medium businesses provide more employment and livelihood to people, than big business houses.

    He called a farmer Nagi Reddy on the dais and asked him to explain the situation of farmers in Telangana.

    After Reddy spoke about the indirect impact of GST on agriculture, Gandhi said Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Agriculture Minister of the state should learn from Nagi Reddy and listen to the problems of farmers across the state.

    He said today, the yatra is aimed to free India from the clutches of unemployment, inflation and “hatred spread by RSS and BJP.”

    Alleging that the TRS and BJP work in tandem, the Gandhi scion said the black farm laws introduced by the NDA government in Parliament were supported by KCR’s party.

    He said people’s support for the Yatra is overwhelming and he is glad to receive the support and love from the public.

  • Maharashtra Congress leaders detained before protest; ‘thousands’ of party workers taken into custody

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Police on Friday detained several Maharashtra Congress leaders outside the Vidhan Bhavan here before their planned protest against the Centre over price rise and other issues, with the party claiming that thousands of its workers were taken into preventive custody across the city.

    Following the action, the party leaders slammed the central and the state governments for trying to “suppress” the opposition’s voice.

    The Congress on Friday held a nationwide stir against price rise, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike on essential items and unemployment.

    State Congress president Nana Patole and former ministers Balasaheb Thorat, Varsha Gaikwad, Naseem Khan, Chandrakant Handore were among some of the senior leaders who were detained outside the Vidhan Bhavan, the state legislature complex in south Mumbai, before they could proceed to the Raj Bhavan for the protest.

    These leaders said they had planned to carry out a protest march to the Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor in south Mumbai, to protest against the Centre’s policies.

    As per the plan announced on Thursday, the march was to begin from Hanging Garden and culminate at the Raj Bhavan around 11 am.

    A heavy deployment of police was put in place outside the Vidhan Bhavan, where the Congress leaders held a meeting.

    READ HERE | ‘Democracy is dead in India’: Congress leaders choose black outfits to protest against price rise

    As they came out of the building, the police personnel prevented them from proceeding towards the Raj Bhavan, located a few kilometres away.

    Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat told the police that it was their right to stage an agitation over the issues concerning people, including rising inflation.

    “Even in the British rule, peaceful protests were allowed. But under the ‘ED’ government, even this is not possible,” Thorat told them in an apparent reference to Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government in the state.

    Former chief minister Ashok Chavan said the Congress planned to hold a peaceful protest.

    A police official told the Congress leaders that they can hold a protest at Azad Maidan.

    But the party leaders refused to budge, following which the police detained them and taken to the Azad Maidan police station before being released later.

    Police said that notices had been sent to several Congress leaders in Mumbai, reminding them that prohibitory orders were in place, which prevents gathering of five or more people at one place.

    Talking to reporters in the afternoon, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan alleged that the Narendra Modi government has lost control over the economy and wondered why the Shinde-Fadnavis government was scared of the Congress taking to streets to protest against issues concerning common people.

    “Why are the governments led by Modi and Shinde-Fadnavis scared if we hold peaceful protests to highlight the issues concerning the common man. Our leaders and workers were detained before we could start the protest. In Mumbai alone, as many as 10,000 party workers were held ahead of the protests,” he claimed.

    Modi government has failed to handle the economy, due to which the cost of living has gone up, he alleged.

    “How can Modi and Fadnavis suppress our right?” Chavan asked.

    The former chief minister charged that the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme compromises with the national security.

    “China poses a serious challenge in Ladakh and the government is silent,” he said.

    Nana Patole said that attempts to suppress their voice would not succeed.

    “The Congress launched a nationwide protest against rising fuel prices, inflation, unemployment, rise in GST and Agnipath scheme. We just wanted to meet the governor and protest before him on these issues,” he said.

    Meanwhile, in Nagpur, Congress staged a protest outside the district collectorate.

    Several Congress workers and leaders raised slogans against the Centre.

    They were detained by the police.

    MUMBAI: Police on Friday detained several Maharashtra Congress leaders outside the Vidhan Bhavan here before their planned protest against the Centre over price rise and other issues, with the party claiming that thousands of its workers were taken into preventive custody across the city.

    Following the action, the party leaders slammed the central and the state governments for trying to “suppress” the opposition’s voice.

    The Congress on Friday held a nationwide stir against price rise, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike on essential items and unemployment.

    State Congress president Nana Patole and former ministers Balasaheb Thorat, Varsha Gaikwad, Naseem Khan, Chandrakant Handore were among some of the senior leaders who were detained outside the Vidhan Bhavan, the state legislature complex in south Mumbai, before they could proceed to the Raj Bhavan for the protest.

    These leaders said they had planned to carry out a protest march to the Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor in south Mumbai, to protest against the Centre’s policies.

    As per the plan announced on Thursday, the march was to begin from Hanging Garden and culminate at the Raj Bhavan around 11 am.

    A heavy deployment of police was put in place outside the Vidhan Bhavan, where the Congress leaders held a meeting.

    READ HERE | ‘Democracy is dead in India’: Congress leaders choose black outfits to protest against price rise

    As they came out of the building, the police personnel prevented them from proceeding towards the Raj Bhavan, located a few kilometres away.

    Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat told the police that it was their right to stage an agitation over the issues concerning people, including rising inflation.

    “Even in the British rule, peaceful protests were allowed. But under the ‘ED’ government, even this is not possible,” Thorat told them in an apparent reference to Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government in the state.

    Former chief minister Ashok Chavan said the Congress planned to hold a peaceful protest.

    A police official told the Congress leaders that they can hold a protest at Azad Maidan.

    But the party leaders refused to budge, following which the police detained them and taken to the Azad Maidan police station before being released later.

    Police said that notices had been sent to several Congress leaders in Mumbai, reminding them that prohibitory orders were in place, which prevents gathering of five or more people at one place.

    Talking to reporters in the afternoon, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan alleged that the Narendra Modi government has lost control over the economy and wondered why the Shinde-Fadnavis government was scared of the Congress taking to streets to protest against issues concerning common people.

    “Why are the governments led by Modi and Shinde-Fadnavis scared if we hold peaceful protests to highlight the issues concerning the common man. Our leaders and workers were detained before we could start the protest. In Mumbai alone, as many as 10,000 party workers were held ahead of the protests,” he claimed.

    Modi government has failed to handle the economy, due to which the cost of living has gone up, he alleged.

    “How can Modi and Fadnavis suppress our right?” Chavan asked.

    The former chief minister charged that the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme compromises with the national security.

    “China poses a serious challenge in Ladakh and the government is silent,” he said.

    Nana Patole said that attempts to suppress their voice would not succeed.

    “The Congress launched a nationwide protest against rising fuel prices, inflation, unemployment, rise in GST and Agnipath scheme. We just wanted to meet the governor and protest before him on these issues,” he said.

    Meanwhile, in Nagpur, Congress staged a protest outside the district collectorate.

    Several Congress workers and leaders raised slogans against the Centre.

    They were detained by the police.

  • ‘Democracy is dead in India’: Congress leaders choose black outfits to protest against price rise

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Black was the colour of the protest for the Congress on Friday –from Kurtas and headgears to scarves and sarees– were among the sartorial choices the party leaders opted for as part of a novel protest to draw the government’s attention to what they said was a “grim” economic situation in the country.

    The 136-year-old party which is known for its traditional approach to protests sprang a surprise with what many saw as an out-of-the-box messaging by deciding to have black as the dress code for its nationwide protest against price rise, hike in GST on essential items and unemployment.

    The most striking sartorial choice was by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Malikarjun Kharge, who wore a black kurta, a black turban and a white dhoti, turning heads during the Congress protest.

    While the male Congress MPs were seen sporting black kurtas, shirts, scarves, and headgears, the women leaders also wore black with elan led by party chief Sonia Gandhi who wore a printed crisp saree with a black border and a black blouse.

    Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor and Karti Chidambaram during a protest march as part of party’s nationwide protest over price rise, unemployment and GST hike on essential items, in New Delhi, on August 5, 2022. (Photo | PTI)

    ALSO READ | Rahul, Priyanka, Shashi Tharoor detained as Delhi Police cracks down upon Congress protest march

    Rahul Gandhi, who addressed the press conference at the AICC headquarters in the morning wearing a white shirt and a black armband, changed to a black shirt for the protest in the Parliament complex and a subsequent march of party leaders to Rashtrapati Bhavan during which they were stopped and detained.

    Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wore a black salwar suit as she staged a sit-in protest outside the AICC headquarters here.

    Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi with party leaders after being detained by police during a protest over price rise, unemployment and GST hike on essential items, at New Police Lines in New Delhi, on August 5, 2022. (Photo | PTI)

    Amid dramatic scenes, she was forcibly put in a vehicle by the police and taken away.

    Former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son and MP Karti Chidambaram sported black shirts with white ‘veshtis’ (type of dhoti), while Shashi Tharoor was seen in all blacks — kurta, trouser and ‘Sadri’.

    Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress’ deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, K C Venugopal, Deepender Hooda, Naseer Hussain and Imran Pratapgarhi, among others, were also seen wearing black.

    Asked about the idea of wearing black, Gogoi told PTI, “during the debate on price rise in Parliament, BJP members said they can’t see inflation, so today by wearing black we are expressing the anger our people are feeling, we are expressing that they (government) open their eyes to the reality of India today.”

    “Even the RBI Governor has conceded that there is high inflation but the BJP MPs and the finance minister have lied to people of India on the floor of the House that there is no inflation,” he said.

    Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed said the aim was to send a message of protest.

    READ HERE | ‘Onset of dictatorship’: Rahul Gandhi hits out at BJP amid Congress’ countrywide protests

    Congress MPs KC Venugopal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and others, wearing black clothes, lie down on the road during a protest march as part of party’s nationwide protest over price rise, unemployment and GST hike on essential items, in New Delhi, on August 5, 2022. (Photo | PTI)

    “It is a black day as Rahul ji said there is no democracy, democracy is dead in India. They are not listening to anything about inflation, so we are protesting,” she told PTI.

    The protesting MPs of the opposition party raised slogans against the government demanding that the GST hike on essential items be withdrawn, with party chief Sonia Gandhi standing with the women MPs holding a banner outside gate number 1 of Parliament.

    The protesters were stopped by the Delhi Police and not allowed to proceed towards the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

    #Congress leaders #PriyankaGandhi, #RahulGandhi and others were detained by the Delhi Police during a protest against the Centre over #PriceRise and #Unemployment.Express photos | @Shekharyadav02, @parveennegi1.#CongressProtest pic.twitter.com/3TwvZmvJgB
    — The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 5, 2022
    Sonia Gandhi did not take part in the march.

    The other MPs were detained by police at Vijay Chowk.

    Later a host of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, were detained by police amid dramatic standoffs outside Parliament and the AICC headquarters here.

    NEW DELHI: Black was the colour of the protest for the Congress on Friday –from Kurtas and headgears to scarves and sarees– were among the sartorial choices the party leaders opted for as part of a novel protest to draw the government’s attention to what they said was a “grim” economic situation in the country.

    The 136-year-old party which is known for its traditional approach to protests sprang a surprise with what many saw as an out-of-the-box messaging by deciding to have black as the dress code for its nationwide protest against price rise, hike in GST on essential items and unemployment.

    The most striking sartorial choice was by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Malikarjun Kharge, who wore a black kurta, a black turban and a white dhoti, turning heads during the Congress protest.

    While the male Congress MPs were seen sporting black kurtas, shirts, scarves, and headgears, the women leaders also wore black with elan led by party chief Sonia Gandhi who wore a printed crisp saree with a black border and a black blouse.

    Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor and Karti Chidambaram during a protest march as part of party’s nationwide protest over price rise, unemployment and GST hike on essential items, in New Delhi, on August 5, 2022. (Photo | PTI)

    ALSO READ | Rahul, Priyanka, Shashi Tharoor detained as Delhi Police cracks down upon Congress protest march

    Rahul Gandhi, who addressed the press conference at the AICC headquarters in the morning wearing a white shirt and a black armband, changed to a black shirt for the protest in the Parliament complex and a subsequent march of party leaders to Rashtrapati Bhavan during which they were stopped and detained.

    Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wore a black salwar suit as she staged a sit-in protest outside the AICC headquarters here.

    Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi with party leaders after being detained by police during a protest over price rise, unemployment and GST hike on essential items, at New Police Lines in New Delhi, on August 5, 2022. (Photo | PTI)

    Amid dramatic scenes, she was forcibly put in a vehicle by the police and taken away.

    Former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son and MP Karti Chidambaram sported black shirts with white ‘veshtis’ (type of dhoti), while Shashi Tharoor was seen in all blacks — kurta, trouser and ‘Sadri’.

    Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress’ deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, K C Venugopal, Deepender Hooda, Naseer Hussain and Imran Pratapgarhi, among others, were also seen wearing black.

    Asked about the idea of wearing black, Gogoi told PTI, “during the debate on price rise in Parliament, BJP members said they can’t see inflation, so today by wearing black we are expressing the anger our people are feeling, we are expressing that they (government) open their eyes to the reality of India today.”

    “Even the RBI Governor has conceded that there is high inflation but the BJP MPs and the finance minister have lied to people of India on the floor of the House that there is no inflation,” he said.

    Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed said the aim was to send a message of protest.

    READ HERE | ‘Onset of dictatorship’: Rahul Gandhi hits out at BJP amid Congress’ countrywide protests

    Congress MPs KC Venugopal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and others, wearing black clothes, lie down on the road during a protest march as part of party’s nationwide protest over price rise, unemployment and GST hike on essential items, in New Delhi, on August 5, 2022. (Photo | PTI)

    “It is a black day as Rahul ji said there is no democracy, democracy is dead in India. They are not listening to anything about inflation, so we are protesting,” she told PTI.

    The protesting MPs of the opposition party raised slogans against the government demanding that the GST hike on essential items be withdrawn, with party chief Sonia Gandhi standing with the women MPs holding a banner outside gate number 1 of Parliament.

    The protesters were stopped by the Delhi Police and not allowed to proceed towards the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

    #Congress leaders #PriyankaGandhi, #RahulGandhi and others were detained by the Delhi Police during a protest against the Centre over #PriceRise and #Unemployment.
    Express photos | @Shekharyadav02, @parveennegi1.#CongressProtest pic.twitter.com/3TwvZmvJgB
    — The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 5, 2022
    Sonia Gandhi did not take part in the march.

    The other MPs were detained by police at Vijay Chowk.

    Later a host of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, were detained by police amid dramatic standoffs outside Parliament and the AICC headquarters here.

  • Inflation a global concern, not limited to India: Amit Shah

    By Express News Service

    BENGALURU: Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah on Thursday said inflation in the country was due to global situation. The minister’s statement comes in the wake of increasing attacks on the BJPled Central government over rising inflation.

    Addressing the third edition of ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’ conference organised by the Ministry of Culture and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Bengaluru, Shah said there has been a lot of discussion on the value of rupee and also inflation, but one needs to look at the currency value of Europe, Japan, Britain, Brazil and China.

    He said that in the United States, inflation rate was 2.8 per cent which is now 9.8 per cent, in Turkey it is 73.5 per cent and in Brazil it is 12.3 per cent, whereas in India it is 7.1 per cent. India’s GDP growth is 7.4 per cent as against the US’ 2.3 per cent, Germany’s 1.2 per cent and China’s 3.3 per cent, which shows that the government’s policies and implementation are in the right direction, he claimed.

    Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given an all-inclusive government in the last eight years. “Since 2014, PM Modi has given ‘Sarva Sparshi, Sarva Samaveshi’ governance to the country. With our Atmanirbar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives which have laid the foundation for growth for the next 25 years, we can say that no one can take India lightly anymore,” he said.

    The government is giving free gas cylinder, power, houses and water to people who were struggling and they are now able to buy goods contributing to India’s GDP growth, he said.

    ‘Our economy 1st to get out of pandemic effect’

    Shah said the Covid-19 induced lockdown impacted not only India but also the global economy. While other countries printed more currency notes, announced big packages, India adopted a different policy. “We encouraged an indigenously-developed vaccine and focussed on policies.

    Economists worldwide praised Indian economy as it was the first to come out of the pandemic effect,” he said. Slamming the previous UPA government, Shah said before 2014, the prime minister was not considered as PM, but his cabinet ministers were acting as prime minister. He added that the Centre is now focused on development.

    BENGALURU: Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah on Thursday said inflation in the country was due to global situation. The minister’s statement comes in the wake of increasing attacks on the BJPled Central government over rising inflation.

    Addressing the third edition of ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’ conference organised by the Ministry of Culture and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Bengaluru, Shah said there has been a lot of discussion on the value of rupee and also inflation, but one needs to look at the currency value of Europe, Japan, Britain, Brazil and China.

    He said that in the United States, inflation rate was 2.8 per cent which is now 9.8 per cent, in Turkey it is 73.5 per cent and in Brazil it is 12.3 per cent, whereas in India it is 7.1 per cent. India’s GDP growth is 7.4 per cent as against the US’ 2.3 per cent, Germany’s 1.2 per cent and China’s 3.3 per cent, which shows that the government’s policies and implementation are in the right direction, he claimed.

    Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given an all-inclusive government in the last eight years. “Since 2014, PM Modi has given ‘Sarva Sparshi, Sarva Samaveshi’ governance to the country. With our Atmanirbar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives which have laid the foundation for growth for the next 25 years, we can say that no one can take India lightly anymore,” he said.

    The government is giving free gas cylinder, power, houses and water to people who were struggling and they are now able to buy goods contributing to India’s GDP growth, he said.

    ‘Our economy 1st to get out of pandemic effect’

    Shah said the Covid-19 induced lockdown impacted not only India but also the global economy. While other countries printed more currency notes, announced big packages, India adopted a different policy. “We encouraged an indigenously-developed vaccine and focussed on policies.

    Economists worldwide praised Indian economy as it was the first to come out of the pandemic effect,” he said. Slamming the previous UPA government, Shah said before 2014, the prime minister was not considered as PM, but his cabinet ministers were acting as prime minister. He added that the Centre is now focused on development.

  • No question of India getting into recession, says Sitharaman in Lok Sabha; Congress walks out

    By Agencies

    NEW DELHI: Highlighting India’s robust economic health despite the COVID pandemic and geo-political situation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said there is no question of India getting into stagflation or recession like other major economies of the world.

    In her reply to the debate on price rise at the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said, “We have never seen a pandemic of this kind. All of us were trying to make sure that people in our constituencies are given extra help. I recognise that everybody – MPs and state governments have played their role. Otherwise, India would not be where it is compared to the rest of the world.”

    “So, I fully credit the people of India for this. Even against adversity, we are able to stand up and be recognised as the fastest growing economy,” she said.

    The Finance Minister emphasized that due to the measures taken by the government, India is in a much better position than most countries.

    “Repeatedly in the assessment of global agencies, India remains the fastest growing economy in the assessment of global agencies. This House irrespective of the party should feel proud of the country and its people. State governments have helped,” she stated in the Lok Sabha.

    Referring to a survey, Sitharaman said there is zero possibility of India getting into recession.

    Sitharaman said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the US fell 0.9 per cent in the second quarter following a 1.6 per cent decline in the first quarter. “They start it calling an unofficial recession. There is no question of India getting into recession or stagflation,” said the Minister.

    ALSO READ | Ruckus continues in Parliament as Opposition protests over Sanjay Raut arrest, price rise, Congress MPs’ suspension

    “Pandemic, second wave, Omicron, Russia-Ukraine (war), even today largest supply components in China are under lockdown. In spite of that, we have held inflation well within 7 per cent or below. That has to be recognised,” she told Lok Sabha.

    She further said, “4,000 banks in China are reported to be going bankrupt. In India, the gross NPAs (Non-Performing Assets) of scheduled commercial banks is at a 5-years low of 5.9 per cent in 2022. So our NPAs are improving. The government debt to GDP Ratio of many countries is in triple digits including Japan, Greece, Bhutan, Singapore, the US, Portugal, Spain, France, Sri Lanka and Canada. But the central government very consciously controlled its debt and it is at 56.29 per cent of the GDP at the end of 2021-22 compared to the 59.9 per cent revised estimate that year.”

    According to IMF data, Sitharaman said the general debt to GDP ratio is 86.9 per cent including the Centre and the state.

    In July 2022, the Minister said the country has garnered the second highest level ever since the introduction of the GST which is 1.49 lakh crore. “In April 2022, it was 1.67 lakh crore which was the highest we reached. This is the fifth consecutive month that collections have been above Rs 1.4 Lakh crores,” she said.

    Quoting former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan, she said, “On Saturday, Raghuram Rajan said that ‘RBI has done a good job in increasing foreign exchange reserve in India, insulating India from problems being faced by neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

    “Differentiating India from its vulnerable neighbours, Raghuram Rajan further added that ‘New Delhi is less indebted’, calling it a good sign, the Minister said.

    Amid Sitharaman’s reply to the debate on price rise, Congress members walk out from Lok Sabha.

    NEW DELHI: Highlighting India’s robust economic health despite the COVID pandemic and geo-political situation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said there is no question of India getting into stagflation or recession like other major economies of the world.

    In her reply to the debate on price rise at the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said, “We have never seen a pandemic of this kind. All of us were trying to make sure that people in our constituencies are given extra help. I recognise that everybody – MPs and state governments have played their role. Otherwise, India would not be where it is compared to the rest of the world.”

    “So, I fully credit the people of India for this. Even against adversity, we are able to stand up and be recognised as the fastest growing economy,” she said.

    The Finance Minister emphasized that due to the measures taken by the government, India is in a much better position than most countries.

    “Repeatedly in the assessment of global agencies, India remains the fastest growing economy in the assessment of global agencies. This House irrespective of the party should feel proud of the country and its people. State governments have helped,” she stated in the Lok Sabha.

    Referring to a survey, Sitharaman said there is zero possibility of India getting into recession.

    Sitharaman said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the US fell 0.9 per cent in the second quarter following a 1.6 per cent decline in the first quarter. “They start it calling an unofficial recession. There is no question of India getting into recession or stagflation,” said the Minister.

    ALSO READ | Ruckus continues in Parliament as Opposition protests over Sanjay Raut arrest, price rise, Congress MPs’ suspension

    “Pandemic, second wave, Omicron, Russia-Ukraine (war), even today largest supply components in China are under lockdown. In spite of that, we have held inflation well within 7 per cent or below. That has to be recognised,” she told Lok Sabha.

    She further said, “4,000 banks in China are reported to be going bankrupt. In India, the gross NPAs (Non-Performing Assets) of scheduled commercial banks is at a 5-years low of 5.9 per cent in 2022. So our NPAs are improving. The government debt to GDP Ratio of many countries is in triple digits including Japan, Greece, Bhutan, Singapore, the US, Portugal, Spain, France, Sri Lanka and Canada. But the central government very consciously controlled its debt and it is at 56.29 per cent of the GDP at the end of 2021-22 compared to the 59.9 per cent revised estimate that year.”

    According to IMF data, Sitharaman said the general debt to GDP ratio is 86.9 per cent including the Centre and the state.

    In July 2022, the Minister said the country has garnered the second highest level ever since the introduction of the GST which is 1.49 lakh crore. “In April 2022, it was 1.67 lakh crore which was the highest we reached. This is the fifth consecutive month that collections have been above Rs 1.4 Lakh crores,” she said.

    Quoting former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan, she said, “On Saturday, Raghuram Rajan said that ‘RBI has done a good job in increasing foreign exchange reserve in India, insulating India from problems being faced by neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

    “Differentiating India from its vulnerable neighbours, Raghuram Rajan further added that ‘New Delhi is less indebted’, calling it a good sign, the Minister said.

    Amid Sitharaman’s reply to the debate on price rise, Congress members walk out from Lok Sabha.

  • ‘Mother beats me if I ask for a pencil’: Child complains to PM Modi about expensive pencils, Maggi

    By IANS

    KANNAUJ: A six-year-old girl studying in class 1 has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the ‘hardship’ she is facing due to price rise.

    The girl, Kriti Dubey, of Chhibramau town in Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj district wrote in her letter, “My name is Kriti Dubey. I study in class 1. Modiji, you have caused immense price rise. Even my pencil and rubber (eraser) have got costlier and the price of Maggi has been increased, too. Now my mother beats me for asking for a pencil. What shall I do? Other kids steal my pencil.”

    The letter written in Hindi has gone viral on social media.

    Her father Vishal Dubey, who is an advocate, said, “It is my daughter’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’. She got annoyed recently when her mother scolded her when she lost her pencil in school.”

    Chhibramau SDM Ashok Kumar told reporters that he came to know about this little girl’s letter through social media platforms.

    “I am ready to help the child in any way and will also try my best to ensure that her letter reaches concerned authorities,” he said.

    KANNAUJ: A six-year-old girl studying in class 1 has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the ‘hardship’ she is facing due to price rise.

    The girl, Kriti Dubey, of Chhibramau town in Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj district wrote in her letter, “My name is Kriti Dubey. I study in class 1. Modiji, you have caused immense price rise. Even my pencil and rubber (eraser) have got costlier and the price of Maggi has been increased, too. Now my mother beats me for asking for a pencil. What shall I do? Other kids steal my pencil.”

    The letter written in Hindi has gone viral on social media.

    Her father Vishal Dubey, who is an advocate, said, “It is my daughter’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’. She got annoyed recently when her mother scolded her when she lost her pencil in school.”

    Chhibramau SDM Ashok Kumar told reporters that he came to know about this little girl’s letter through social media platforms.

    “I am ready to help the child in any way and will also try my best to ensure that her letter reaches concerned authorities,” he said.

  • Lok Sabha likely to have debate on price rise on Monday

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: After a near washout of House proceedings for two weeks, Lok Sabha is likely to have a debate on price rise on Monday, followed by Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, political sources said.

    Since the beginning of the session on July 18, the Opposition in both the House had been raising the issue of rising prices and GST, leading to near washout of proceedings.

    The last two days of House proceedings were drowned due to “rashtrapatni” remark of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and the subsequent Lok Sabha chamber face-off between Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Smriti Irani.

    Chowdhury wrote to President Droupadi Murmu on Friday and apologised to her for his “rashtrapatni” remark.

    The Congress has upped the ante on Irani over the alleged heckling of Gandhi by her and BJP MPs and organised protests inside and outside Parliament and demanded that she be sacked for her behaviour.

    Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had this week told Lok Sabha that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recovered from Covid and was attending Parliament. Thus, the government was willing to hold debate on price rise immediately.

    Both the government and the Opposition have accused each other of “running away” from a debate on the issue.

    But political sources said on Friday that normal House proceedings would resume from Monday and the debate could first take place in the lower house, followed by the upper house.

    NEW DELHI: After a near washout of House proceedings for two weeks, Lok Sabha is likely to have a debate on price rise on Monday, followed by Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, political sources said.

    Since the beginning of the session on July 18, the Opposition in both the House had been raising the issue of rising prices and GST, leading to near washout of proceedings.

    The last two days of House proceedings were drowned due to “rashtrapatni” remark of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and the subsequent Lok Sabha chamber face-off between Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Smriti Irani.

    Chowdhury wrote to President Droupadi Murmu on Friday and apologised to her for his “rashtrapatni” remark.

    The Congress has upped the ante on Irani over the alleged heckling of Gandhi by her and BJP MPs and organised protests inside and outside Parliament and demanded that she be sacked for her behaviour.

    Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had this week told Lok Sabha that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recovered from Covid and was attending Parliament. Thus, the government was willing to hold debate on price rise immediately.

    Both the government and the Opposition have accused each other of “running away” from a debate on the issue.

    But political sources said on Friday that normal House proceedings would resume from Monday and the debate could first take place in the lower house, followed by the upper house.

  • Congress launches digital campaign for its ‘Jan Jagran Abhiyan’ against price rise

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday launched a digital campaign for the party’s “Jan Jagran Abhiyan” to highlight the issue of inflation and high fuel prices in the country. It will carry out its ‘Jan Jagran Abhiyan’ from November 14 to 29 across the country by holding foot marches and street corner meetings on inflation.

    The Congress also released a toll-free number 1800212000011 for people to connect with the party’s “Jan Jagran Abhiyan”. People can fill a digital form to become a part of the campaign against the price rise. A campaign song was also released by the party.

    Congress’ social media head Rohan Gupta said the ‘Jan Jagran Abhiyan’ will prove to be the “last nail in the coffin of BJP rule”. “People can give a missed call on the toll-free number to connect with the movement against inflation by the Narendra Modi government. After giving a missed call, people will get an SMS and have to fill a digital form attached to it,” he said.

    Gupta added that the goal is to increase public awareness about inflation.

  • Rahul Gandhi slams government over price rise issue

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday hit out at the Centre over price rise amid Diwali celebrations and said he wished that the Modi government had a sensitive heart for the people.

    “It is Diwali. Prices are at their peak. It’s not a matter of sarcasm. I wish the Modi government had a sensitive heart for the public,” Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    Gandhi and the Congress have been extremely critical of the government over the rise in fuel prices.

    The opposition party has accused the government of extortion in the name of taxes on petrol and diesel.

    It has also charged the government with “profiteering” from fuel tax and “fleecing” the common people.

  • ‘Government is scared to discuss issues like price rise in Parliament’: Priyanka Gandhi

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday attacked the government, alleging that it is “scared” of a discussion in Parliament on issues that concern people like price rise. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been rocked by Opposition protests since the Monsoon session commenced on July 19 over the Pegasus snooping controversy, farm laws and price rise.

    “They are used to questions like ‘how do you eat mangoes’, therefore, they are scared of discussion in Parliament on issues that concern people like price rise,” Priyanka Gandhi alleged in a tweet in Hindi.

    Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said the government is ready for discussion on issues “directly related” to the people. The protests are over a “non-issue, non-serious issue”, said Joshi, the parliamentary affairs minister.