New Delhi
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the Modi government for failing to conduct the Census, noting that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech did not address the funds needed for the decadal Population Census, which was due in 2021.
On X, Ramesh expressed disappointment, stating, the Finance Minister’s speech on Data and Statistics ignored the need for funds to conduct the Census. This is the first time since Independence that a Census has not been conducted on schedule, affecting administrative functions and leaving 10-12 crore individuals out of the National Food Security Act.
He further suggested that the government’s silence indicates a likely avoidance of the Socio-Economic Caste Census, despite calls from NDA partners. The lack of action on this front is troubling, he added.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also weighed in, labeling the Budget as a Kursi Bachao (Save the Chair) budget, accusing the government of making empty promises to allies while neglecting common people. He criticized the Budget for merely copying Congress manifestos and previous budgets without delivering real relief.
Ramesh also criticized the government’s focus on employment generation, calling it too late and too little, and argued that the Budget is more about appearances than concrete action.
