After PM Modi's 2019 interview, Congress asks unanswered questions
What's the story
Minutes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his first interview of the year to ANI on Tuesday, Congress held a press conference and asked unanswered questions.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said PM Modi's interview was all about "I, Me, Myself".
"It was much ado about nothing," the senior Congress spokesperson said and asked PM Modi about the 'unfulfilled promises'.
Here's more.
Questions
From black money to promise of Rs. 15 lakh
Launching a sharp attack at PM Modi, Surjewala asked what happened to Rs. 15 lakh which were to be deposited in bank accounts of Indians.
He reminded that before 2014 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi said he would bring back Rs. 80 lakh crore black money in first 100 days. "Has even a rupee of that come back after 55 months," Surjewala asked.
Jobs and GST
Congress asks questions on GST implementation and jobs
Surjewala then said Modi had promised 2 crore jobs every year. "In 55 months, that would mean 9 crore jobs. Have you even created 9 lakh jobs in India," he asked.
About farmers, Surjewala said "The jumla was to give farmers cost plus 50 percent profit. But did the farmer even recover the costs, never mind the profit?"
He asked why GST was imposed.
Quote
Who will account for lives lost during demonetization: Surjewala
"Your demonetization helped those with black money by letting them convert it to white. It was a 3.5 lakh crore blow for the economy, looted years of savings from lakhs of women and caused the deaths of 120 people who stood in bank queues. Who will account for it?" asked Surjewala.
Details
PM Modi also criticized for army personnel deaths
Giving data, Surjewala noted in last 55 months, 428 jawans and 279 civilians died in J&K. Similarly, 248 jawans and 378 people were killed in Maoist attacks. He asked PM Modi, "Why did you imperil national security?"
He claimed corruption has scaled new heights and alleged Rafale deal was a Rs. 30,000 crore scam.
He asked why the government feared Joint Parliamentary Committee's probe.
Schemes
The Centre's programs were also attacked
Taking potshots at the Namami Gange scheme, Surjewala asked, "Is Ganga ma clean now? Your central pollution board says in 38 out of 49 spots, the river is still as dirty."
He asked what happened to Start Up India, Stand Up, Skill India and Make in India. "NITI Aayog says manufacturing growth is 0.5 percent."
Surjewala also asked how many smart cities were built.
Quote
Are these your 'achhe din', asks Surjewala
"And why are fuel prices so high despite global crude prices falling? Are these your achhe din (good days)?" said Surjewala.