In a scathing critique, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has slammed the Central government for what he calls an “election-inspired” Household Consumption Expenditure Survey. Kharge, in a pointed demand, urged for the swift execution of a comprehensive census for accurate information, stressing the need for it to incorporate a caste survey.
Taking to social media platform ‘X’ in Hindi, Kharge didn’t mince his words, accusing the Modi government of a decade-long slumber, only to wake up now with a survey on public expenditure and income driven by electoral motives.
“The Modi government has unsuccessfully tried to self-praise in the survey,” Kharge asserted, debunking the government’s attempt to pat itself on the back.
Singling out a singular demand, Kharge called for the immediate implementation of the 2021 Census, underlining the importance of including a caste census. He assured that the Congress party would make this a priority once in power.
Kharge raised eyebrow-raising questions about the credibility of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey’s portrayal of the nation’s economic health. He pointed out that the poorest five per cent of rural India were purportedly spending only Rs 46 daily. He further questioned the allocation of meager benefits, a mere Rs 68/month, to the most impoverished families, insinuating a potential diversion of remaining benefits to capitalist interests.
Uncovering discrepancies, Kharge queried the claim that the monthly income of farmers is less than the average income of rural India. He also criticized the marginal reduction (1.5 per cent) in fuel expenditure among rural families, contrasting it with the government’s celebrated success of the Ujjwala scheme.
Citing conflicting reports from NITI Aayog, Kharge accused the Modi government of playing fast and loose with poverty statistics. While the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey suggested a poverty rate of 5 per cent, the Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index from the same NITI Aayog reported a figure of 11.28 per cent.
Kharge cautioned against tarnishing the reputation of India’s esteemed data collection and surveys, urging the government to refrain from manipulating facts. He also questioned the government’s motive behind proposing a change in the GDP base year to 2017-18, insinuating potential electoral advantages and an attempt to obscure true economic conditions.
Adding a layer of suspicion, Kharge highlighted the deliberate ambiguity in naming the round of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, suggesting an intentional obscurity to potentially conceal data manipulation.
