New Delhi: Demanding an apology from Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar for his comments on North Indian youth, the Congress on Monday said the minister's remark was an attempt to hide the failure of the government to provide opportunities to youngsters in the country.
Addressing a press conference here party headquarters, Congress spokesperson Rajiv Shukla said the country's unemployment rate has touched an all-time high at 8.2 per cent.
Congress leader addressing media
Blaming North Indian youth for failing to secure jobs at an event in Bareilly on Sunday, Gangwar said there was no shortage of jobs but the companies wishing to recruit say that these youths are ineligible.
"It's unfortunate that the government cannot even accept the fact that there's an economic slowdown in the country and people are losing their jobs in various sectors," he said, adding that such comments were being made to mislead the people.
The Congress leader said that one crore jobs were lost in 2018, while the unemployment rate was growing each year at 2.5 per cent.
He also said that both the agriculture and manufacturing sectors were lagging behind, while export was also showing negative growth.
"Government is lying to people by making comments like this. We condemn it and expect the minister to apologies for his insensitive comment," he added.
