Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme, accusing the government of failing to deliver on its promises to the youth. Gandhi, speaking as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed concern that while the Prime Minister frequently creates new slogans, real employment opportunities remain scarce for India’s youth.
Gandhi claimed that nearly a year after PM Modi announced the ELI scheme with great fanfare, promising to generate jobs for young people, the government has yet to define the scheme. He further alleged that the government had returned the Rs 10,000 crores allocated for it, questioning the seriousness of the government’s commitment to tackling unemployment.
“There’s been no action, no clear plan, and no money spent. This is another example of how serious the Prime Minister is about addressing unemployment,” Gandhi said. He also pointed out that the scheme has remained ill-defined, with no visible results.
The Congress leader emphasized that job creation cannot solely rely on large corporates or favoritism toward business cronies. He argued that sustainable job growth requires investing in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), fostering competition in fair markets, supporting local production networks, and empowering youth with the right skills.
Gandhi further questioned PM Modi’s priorities, suggesting that the government’s focus on corporate elites like Adani has led to inequality in access to employment for marginalized communities. “When will you shift your focus from enriching your billionaire friends to ensuring equal opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds?” Gandhi asked, implying that the PM’s focus was skewed towards the wealthy rather than the unemployed youth.
His remarks echoed a call for a more inclusive economic strategy that would prioritize equitable employment over corporate favoritism and further questioned the ELI scheme’s real impact.
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