'Bharat Ko Jodna Hai': Former RBI Guv Raghuram Rajan Tells Rahul Gandhi — Watch
Raghuram Rajan highlighted that policies should be framed keeping in mind the lower middle class which suffered the most due to the coronavirus pandemic.
New Delhi: Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan who joined Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, stressed on improving the economic indicators of the country saying, “Bharat ko jodna hai” (we need to unite India).
In a candid interview with the Congress MP, Rajan said that the next year will be difficult for the Indian economy as also for the rest of the world and the country failed to "generate reforms" needed for growth.
He highlighted that policies should be framed keeping in mind the lower middle class which suffered the most due to the coronavirus pandemic. He also pitched for creating a conducive environment for small and medium-scale industries and giving a push to a green revolution in the field of sustainable energy.
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Crypto, Stocks, Next-Gen Revolutions, and unlocking India's full potential!
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A discussion with Raghuram Rajan on ideas to make India a true global super-power.https://t.co/kRYglwAKmN pic.twitter.com/BnQbT1Vggv
The former governor also suggested that the next revolution in the country can be in the service sector.
Gandhi, in his candid interaction that was posted on his social media handle, asked Rajan about his views on the current economic conditions in India, the US and other countries, challenges before small industries, and economic inequality, among others.
When the Congress leader claimed that "only four to five industrialists are getting richer, the rest of the country is behind and a set of industrialists have a separate 'Hindustan' while the farmers and others have another 'Hindustan", Rajan said this is a “big problem” but it is not about capitalists.
Rajan noted that income of people from the upper middle class section of the society increased because they could work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic but those who worked in factories lost their earnings.
"So, this divide increased during the pandemic. Rich had no problem, the lower class got ration and other things but the lower middle class had a big damage. There were no jobs, unemployment increased," he said and suggested that policymakers should consider this class.
Back and forth of arguments between BJP, Congress
Reacting to Rajan joining the Yatra in Rajasthan, the Bharatiya Janata Party took a swipe saying that his commentary on India's economy should be discarded with "disdain" as it is "coloured and opportunistic".
The BJP's foreign affairs department head Vijay Chauthaiwale tweeted, "One former RBI governor became head of government and the country lost 10 precious years. Thanks to Modi, India will not repeat that mistake. RRR (Raghuram Rajan) can walk from Delhi to Chicago." The Congress hit back, saying the entire cabinet put together cannot match the abilities of the economist.
Reacting to BJP's criticism, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram tweeted, "Why is the BJP outraged by Rahul Gandhi having a conversation with Raghuram Rajan? Because PM Modi does not meet economists and economists have no access to PM Modi." In his conversation, Gandhi said that after Independence, there was a green revolution, followed by the white revolution and then the computer revolution. So what can be the next revolution? he asked.