CWC expresses concern over economy, tax terrorism, unemployment
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Saturday expressed concern over the poor state of economy, 'tax terrorism' and unemployment, noting that agrarian distress has become a hallmark of the Modi government.
"CWC noted with anguish over the poor state of economy and tax terrorism that prevails today in the country. Government has discovered the virtues of pre-liberalised regime moving towards a system of tax terrorism control and ‘licence raj'.
"Gross Fixed Capital Formation, the biggest indicator of fresh investment, has fallen from 31 per cent to 28.5 per cent. Index of industrial production continues to hover around 3.2 per cent," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.
"Credit growth is dismal with MSMEs experiencing negative credit flow. NPAs of banks have risen to an alarming high figure of 11.6 per cent in 2018 and have been assessed at Rs. 10.30 lakh crore.
"FDI and new projects are declining. In industrial hubs across the country, MSMEs are shutting down leading to loss of jobs. Rupee is on a downward spiral getting devalued from Rs.64 to Rs.69.50 in less than six months. A myopic Modi government has no control or vision to kick start the economy," he added.
Surjewala said that Congress President Rahul Gandhi and CWC expressed deep concern on the state of joblessness.
He said CWC also noted that Modi-made disaster of demonitisation and ill-implemented GST has led to severe job losses.
"The government is shying away from releasing the Labour Bureau Survey figures for December, 2017. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise of creating 2 crore jobs a year fails, it is regrettable that he exhorts the youth to sell 'pakoras' and 'pans' instead of creating real jobs," said Surjewala.
CWC also noted that agrarian distress has become a hallmark of Modi government.
"PM Modi promised ‘Cost+50 per cent profit' on MSP, but it has proved to be a ‘jumla'. The latest increase in MSP of crops doesn't confirm it as per the report of CACP 2018. The declared MSP being given to farmers in mandis, where crop is selling at rates ranging from 27 per cent to 42 per cent, is below the declared MSP," said Surjewala.
"PM Fasal Beema Yojna has profiteered the insurance companies with Rs.14,800 crore leaving the farmers to a pittance of compensation claim of Rs.5,600 crore.
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Govt floats tender for new Shivaji Maharaj statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg
Mumbai (PTI): In the wake of collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg, the Maharashtra government has issued a tender for the construction of a new 60-foot-tall statue there, nearly twice the size of the previous one, officials said on Wednesday.
The statue will be built at a cost of Rs 20 crore and the government has set a six-month timeframe for the completion of the work, they said.
A 35-foot-tall statue of the 17th century Maratha empire founder, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg district on December 4 (Navy Day) last year, collapsed on August 26 amid strong winds.
The statue's sculptor, Jaydeep Apte, was later arrested.
The government has faced flak as the opposition parties alleged the decision to install the statue in Sindhudurg was taken haphazardly, which resulted in poor quality of work.
Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) had flagged concerns over rust gathering on Shivaji Maharaj’s statue and suggested permanent measures in a letter sent to a Naval official just six days before the structure collapsed.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had said the statue was designed and constructed by the Indian Navy.
He claimed winds were blowing at 45 km per hour when the statue collapsed.
A tender has been issued for the construction of a new statue and its height would be 60 feet, a PWD official said.
"The total cost would now be Rs 20 crore, including its engineering, installation and maintenance. The government has given six months to complete the work. The height of the statue would be 60 feet," the official said.
