Kharge Criticizes Modi's 'Make in India' Initiative as a Decade of Manufacturing Decline

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Modi government's 'Make in India' initiative, labeling it a 'stunt' that has failed to boost manufacturing in India. Kharge presented data showing minimal growth in employment and a decline in manufacturing's contribution to GDP, accusing the government of ineffective policies.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took aim at the Modi government's 'Make in India' initiative on Wednesday, calling it a 'stunt' that has failed over the last decade. He argued that despite high-profile promotions, the policy has resulted in the de-industrialization of India's manufacturing sector.

Kharge highlighted five key points to argue that India's manufacturing sector has languished under Modi's leadership. He cited data showing that the average growth rate of the sector was only 3.1% under the BJP-NDA, compared to 7.85% during the Congress-UPA regime. Furthermore, employment growth in factories has fallen sharply.

Kharge also noted that the share of manufacturing in India's GDP has plunged to 12.83% in 2023 from 15.25% in 2013. He criticized the government's Production-Linked Incentive schemes for failing to deliver results and claimed many public sector undertakings have been sold off, undermining the sector's growth potential.

(With inputs from agencies.)