New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday demanded that the Centre immediately take back its recent order, where the finance ministry banned the creation of new posts in the central government, except those approved by the expenditure department under the ministry.
Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said, "At present, Indian economy is in a very bad condition at its 45 year-low. When rest of the world in trying to save jobs of their people by providing salaries even to the employees of private companies, Government of India is freezing jobs even in its own offices. Where will the youth of this country go?"
Earlier on Friday, the Finance Ministry released an official memorandum for banning the creation of new posts in the Central Government offices, except those approved by Department of Expenditure. The memorandum also asked all the Ministries and Departments to carry out a review of individual consultants and to reduce their numbers to minimum.
"In context of the present fiscal situation and the consequent pressure on government resources there is a need for further economy and rationalization of non priority expenditure while protecting and preserving priority expenditure," stated the order.
While citing the data of Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the Congress leader asserted that 17.8 per cent of jobs of people between the age group of 15 to 29 years were lost, in addition to the 1.89 crore job loss during the nationwide lockdown.
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He also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "During the 2014 Lok Sabha Election, he promised to give 2 crore jobs to the youth of this country. But today, more than 2 crore people have lost their jobs."
The former Cabinet Minister mentioned that the UPA Government brought 27 crore people out of poverty during 2005 to 2014, in which MGNREGA played a vital role. However, as per the latest data of International Labour Organization, 40 crore people have gone below to the poverty line.
"We want to urge the Central Goverment to take back this order immediately. Locking government offices will not work. If necessary steps won't be taken to manage the current situation, our economy will get worse," he stated.
Former Congress President, Rahul Gandhi also hit out at the Centre over the matter, alleging that the Modi dispensation's thinking is "minimum government, maximum privatization".
Read: India is reeling under Modi-made disasters: Rahul Gandhi
