Baramati, Sept 3 (PTI): NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday alleged that while inflation was rising and the country’s economic condition looked difficult, the central government was painting a “very beautiful picture” of the economy by ignoring the real problem.
Talking to reporters in his hometown Baramati in Pune district, the veteran leader also claimed that in order to divert people’s attention from core matters, some issues were being raked up with the consent of the government. “Today the condition of the economy of the state and the country is difficult. Inflation is rising, and it is becoming difficult for the head of the family to meet daily needs. To divert the attention from all these things, with the consent of the government, some issues including education are being raked up so that the core issues are conveniently ignored. We see that this is being done deliberately,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday applauded the country’s people for the 7.8 per cent GDP growth rate, calling the feat particularly impressive, coming against the backdrop of global turmoil, geopolitical conflicts, and supply chain disruptions.
Referring to it, Pawar said, “The country’s Finance Minister and Prime Minister are trying to show that the country has a very beautiful picture of the economy. They are not paying attention to the real problem…It seems they have not paid attention to it.”
“The Prime Minister says some things at the international level to divert people’s attention from the present situation,” the former Union minister said, adding that people will be hit by inflation and feel a pinch in their pocket.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday quashed all criminal cases registered against students involved in protests between July 20 and 25 and directed the Centre to provide financial compensation within three months to families of NEET aspirants who took their own lives. Replying to a query about it, Pawar said protesters should be allowed to agitate democratically.
“It is a students’ protest and they have some demands. The judiciary has clearly stated how the policy adopted by the government is wrong. The judiciary has in a way given strict advice to the government that if you do not take a decision in this way, we will have to take some decisions. “This government has brought things to such a condition that we should worry whether rights pertaining to the judicial system will eventually go into the hands of administrative officers,” he said.
When asked about the hearing on tussle over allotment of Shiv Sena symbol, Pawar said, “I cannot say what will happen, the court’s decision is final. Hearing is still going on, before that we should not comment. Let’s wait eight to ten days for both and then we will discuss.”
Talking about PM Modi’s proposed visit to Baramati, Pawar said, “He has said that he is coming. We have given him a date of October 16, but it may be later. An Artificial Intelligence institute has been built here, it is the first in the country. He will inspect it and a presentation will be given to him.
“Some of our people had given him their presentation at Supriya (Sule)’s daughter’s wedding. But he wants to understand it in detail, the programme is here,” he added.
During his Baramati visit, PM Modi may inaugurate ‘Prerna Sthal’, a dome and museum complex, at the Vidya Pratishthan campus.
Replying to a query on sugar rates and import, Pawar said sugarcane growers had apparently not benefited.
“Prices are rising, production cost is also going up, but the cultivators should get some share of the increased income. Present situation does not look like that. In my opinion, importing sugar is not right. Today it is not possible to say when imported sugar will come and what its benefits will be,” he said.
Talking about the rainfall deficit in parts of the state, Pawar said, “I am going everywhere. Forget double sowing, it seems water issues and other difficulties will arise. It seems that today the entire Marathwada will be devastated by drought. The picture is not good. But everyone should help farmers who are in difficult conditions.”
On the ongoing action by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Tukaram Mundhe over food and safety violations in dairy business, Pawar said his action had stopped adulteration in milk.
“Due to stoppage of adulteration, productivity of milk has decreased and since milk without adulteration is better, customers are also ready to pay extra, the picture is not so bad,” he said.