‘Unemployment is growing as a result of the government shattering the ambitions of millions of young people for the profit of a select few capitalist pals.’
Rahul Gandhi inquired on Sunday whether the Narendra Modi administration was plotting to privatize public sector businesses by restricting recruitment and relying on contractual work, citing the loss of nearly two lakh permanent jobs in the previous nine years.
“PSUs (public-sector units) were India’s pride, and every youngster aspired to work for one of these companies.” PSUs, on the other hand, are no longer a priority for the government. The number of jobs in the country’s PSUs has fallen from 16.90 lakh in 2014 to 14.60 lakh in 2022. Is it feasible that work chances would decline in a progressive society like this?” Rahul sent up a tweet today.
While lakhs of vacancies in the two largest PSU recruiters — the armed forces and the railways — have plagued India’s youth for many years, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has repeatedly chastised the Modi government for staging the Rozgar Mela for thousands of jobs rather than filling the government’s 30 lakh existing vacancies. Rahul has now announced the elimination of two lakh employees in PSUs.
“1,81,127 jobs were lost at BSNL, 61,928 at SAIL, 34,997 at MTNL, 29,140 at SECL, 28,063 at FCI, and 21,120 at ONGC,” Rahul stated. Those who falsely promised to create two crore new employment every year destroyed two lakh current jobs!”
The Congress has previously claimed that actions such as demonetization and the defective GST have resulted in the loss of millions of existing employment, including in the private sector.
“What’s worse, contractual jobs in these companies have been doubled,” Rahul remarked. Isn’t the decision to encourage contract jobs a tactic to take away the fundamental right to the reservation? Is this a plot to eventually privatize these companies? Write off businessmen’s loans and eliminate positions in government enterprises. “Which Amrit Kaal is this?”
The Prime Minister has curiously dubbed this period “Amrit Kaal” without providing meaningful justification. No other Prime Minister in the previous seven decades has referred to any era as a “special period.” The opposition parties have mocked Modi for naming the phase “Amrit Kaal” at a time when prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed, with petrol crossing Rs 100 per litre for the first time, cooking gas cylinders costing Rs 1,100 for the first time, unemployment at a 45-year high, and social discord reaching terrifying proportions.
Rahul questioned “Amrit Kaal” on Sunday in the backdrop of growing unemployment. “If it’s really ‘Amrit Kaal,’ why are jobs disappearing like this?” he said. Why is the country experiencing record unemployment? Unemployment is growing as a result of the government shattering the ambitions of millions of young people for the profit of a select few capitalist pals.”
He argued that if given appropriate government assistance, India’s PSUs are capable of producing employment and strengthening the economy. “The public sector enterprises are the property of the people of this country.” They must be safeguarded and encouraged in order for India to continue on its road of development.”
While crony capitalism and growing unemployment will be the Congress’ key political platforms in the next election in 2024, the allegation of weakening PSUs encompasses both concerns.
The Congress has repeatedly chastised the Modi administration for turning over vital national assets to the Adani group and other commercial entities, ranging from ports to airports, trains to highways, power to retail, data to agriculture.
