Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, hit out at the Bharatiya Janata party-led Centre over what he called a “monopoly model,” claiming it has led to job losses, devastated micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and deprived many individuals of opportunities.
“Modi ji’s monopoly model has taken away jobs, devastated MSMEs and deprived people of opportunity. India deserves better,” Rahul Gandhi said.
The Congress leader was holding a discussion with business owners and professionals in Jammu wherein he cited the reasons for unemployment in the country.
He further said that India has a huge skill set, but the severe attack on smaller businesses from big monopolies is exacerbating the unemployment situation in the country. He added that demonetisation, import duties, and GST were all designed to “hurt” people economically.
Rahul Gandhi called on the government for simplifying GST and opening up the banking system to small businesses to promote opportunities and job creation.
Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi said, “India has a huge set of skills, India is not the government of India, India is ‘you.’ The simple biggest reason in my view as to why we are having unemployment is because the basic structure of employment, which is smaller and bigger businesses, is under severe attack from 5-10 really big monopolies.”
“They are not production monopolies. For example, a country like Japan has large monopolists as well, but their monopolists produce things, they are not simple traders. Our biggest monopolists do not produce things, they simply trade things. These large monopolists have control of the political system and they are organising a systematic attack on you people. GST was designed to hurt you people, demonetisation was designed to hurt you, people, and import duties were designed to hurt you people,” he added.
The LoP took to his social media handle and shared a clip of the interaction he had at the event in Jammu.
“The frustration in the eyes of a young startup owner from J&K reflects the struggles of most entrepreneurs and small-business owners in India. ‘Modi ji’s monopoly model’ has taken away jobs, devastated MSMEs and deprived people of opportunity,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X.
“The systematic attack on small and medium industries through incompetent policies like a bad GST and demonetisation has turned India from a producing economy to a consuming one. At this rate, we can neither compete with China nor ensure prosperity for all Indians,” he added.
Adding further, he said, “India deserves better. We must simplify GST and open up the banking system to small businesses to promote widespread opportunity and job creation.”
Earlier on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi, slammed the BJP-led Haryana government in a public rally for the lack of employment opportunities, leading to youth migration. During his address, the Congress leader used examples from the struggles of children whose parents migrated to America and got stuck there with no prospects of returning.
The Lok Sabha’s Leader of Opposition shared the story of a boy named Dev, who cried out for his father. He said, “Dev’s trembling cry – ‘Papa, come back!’ – was heart-wrenching.
“Gandhi noted that while Dev’s cry might not reach Prime Minister Modi’s heart, it has impacted him deeply. “It is the duty of the Congress party to stop these cries, wipe these tears, and ensure a happy life with their families by giving proper opportunities to the youth of Haryana within the state itself – and we will do it!”, the Congress leader said.
Ahead of the assembly elections in the state, Rahul Gandhi laid out several promises, including financial support for women and jobs for the youth.
He said, “The first step is Mahila Shakti, Rs 2000 per month to women, and a gas cylinder worth Rs 500. The second step is that we will fill the two lakh vacancies that are lying vacant in the government for the youth and give them to you.”
He also promised a Minimum Support Prices (MSP) guarantee for farmers and provide immediate insurance money for losses.
“Housing for the poor will include a 100-yard plot and Rs 1.5 lakh, three lakh rupees for two houses, two rooms, two bedrooms, and 300 units of free electricity,” he added.
Haryana will go to polls on October 5 to elect a 90-member state legislative assembly to form its next government, with the counting set to take place on October 8. (ANI)
