‘Unemployment exists only in media reports’
BJP president Amit Shah on Friday rebutted Opposition’s claim that unemployment had risen during the three years of the NDA government, stating that joblessness was only present in media reports.
The Opposition has targeted the Modi government after official figures showed a marginal increase in unemployment— from 4.9% in 2013-14 to 5% in 2015-16. The latest Labour Bureau report claims 1.52 lakh casual labourers lost jobs during October-December 2016.
“There is no system to get an accurate assessment about the job availability,” Shah said at BJP headquarters.
As he listed Modi government’s achievements – from e-auction of coal mine to launch of 104 satellites in one go – Shah said the NDA government has tried to give a new outlook to employment.
“It is impossible to provide employment through jobs in a country with 125 crore people” he said. “We have tried to create self employment opportunities for about 8 crore people.”
He also disputed reports about increasing unemployment. “Where have jobs gone? These are newspaper reports. Do you consider newspaper reports as truth? People don’t,” he said.
The Opposition is likely to continue targeting the Centre over the issue of unemployment, especially after big corporate houses laid off thousands to protect their profit margins amid a slowdown in economic activities.
Describing Modi as the ‘most popular public figure’ of independent India, Shah said there was no comparison between the current NDA regime and the Congress rule under Indira Gandhi.
“We have not imposed emergency. We have not put a lock on your (journalist) mouth. You didn’t had freedom of speech in 1975. We are not like Mrs Gandhi.”
The BJP chief said the rightwing party’s victories after the 2014 election was “people’s certificate” to the Prime Minister , as they believed that Modi was a ‘decisive’ leader who will restore country’s glory and bring in transparency.
Shah also denied the allegation that his party was targeting opposition leaders. “If they have benami properties worth ₹1,000 crore, shouldn’t the government take action?” Shah asked