The Congress released a report criticizing the economic policies of the Narendra Modi government, highlighting concerns about jobless growth in the economy. According to the report, employment in the manufacturing sector decreased from 12.1% to 11.4% between 2017-18 and 2023-24, while in the services sector, it dropped from 31.1% to 29.7%.
The report also noted a rise in employment in the agriculture sector from 44.1% to 46.1%, indicating a shift towards low-productivity work due to a lack of job creation in manufacturing. It emphasized that job growth is mainly seen in informal and gig work, with 40% of salaried workers lacking contracts, paid leave, and social security.
Questioning the reliability of official macroeconomic data, the report prepared by the Congress’s Research Department highlighted a growing disconnect between official statistics and the actual experiences of people. It cited concerns such as India’s statistics receiving a “C” grade from the IMF and suggestions that the country’s GDP growth might be overstated by 2.5 percentage points.
The report further raised issues regarding the economy, including the devaluation of the rupee, negative net FDI in four out of ten months in 2025, and alleged weakening of the MGNREGA scheme for the welfare of the poor. Congress Research Department Chairman Rajeev Gowda stated that the report exposes the government’s priorities, emphasizing the need for meaningful job creation and social safety nets.
