In a pointed critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has expressed concerns over the declining manufacturing sector in India, highlighting its adverse impact on the economy. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Rahul Gandhi questioned why PM Modi did not mention ‘Make in India’ in his recent Lok Sabha speech. He termed the initiative a failure, citing data that shows a decline in manufacturing’s contribution to GDP.
‘Make in India’ Missing from PM Modi’s Speech, Rahul Gandhi Points Out
Rahul Gandhi expressed surprise that PM Modi did not even mention ‘Make in India’ in his Lok Sabha address. He remarked, "Prime Minister, in your speech you didn’t even mention 'Make in India'! The PM should acknowledge that ‘Make in India’, although a good initiative, is a failure."
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He backed his claim with data, stating that manufacturing has fallen from 15.3% of GDP in 2014 to 12.6%, the lowest in the last 60 years. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Rahul Gandhi underscored that the lack of a robust manufacturing sector is severely affecting employment opportunities for the Indian youth.
Rahul Gandhi Calls for a New Vision to Boost Manufacturing
Rahul Gandhi asserted that neither the UPA nor NDA governments have successfully tackled the national challenge of job creation through manufacturing. He stated, "India's youth desperately need jobs. No government in recent times, UPA or NDA, has been able to meet this national challenge at scale."
He emphasised the need for a concrete vision to uplift the manufacturing sector, stating that India must address “what’s holding our manufacturing sector back” and prepare itself for future competition in the global economy. He also advocated for a shift towards emerging technologies to boost production.
Rahul Gandhi Compares India’s Manufacturing with China, Calls for a Strategic Plan
In a striking comparison, Rahul Gandhi stated that China is “10 years ahead of us and has a stronger industrial system.” He argued that this industrial strength is what gives China the confidence to challenge India.
He insisted that India must build its production systems with a well-defined vision and strategy, focusing on emerging fields like AI, batteries, optics, and electric motors. According to Rahul Gandhi, this is the only way to revive India’s manufacturing sector and generate employment.