The Congress on Monday hit out at the government over India’s 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the April-June quarter, saying the figure was “not an economic spring” and presented a “Greatly Distorted Picture” of the state of the economy.The opposition party questioned why the country’s economic growth was not translating into jobs and prosperity, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the first-quarter performance as an “exemplary” and “herculean feat”.
Jairam Ramesh flags investment, consumer confidence concerns
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the quarterly GDP numbers did not reflect what he described as depressed private investment sentiment, both domestic and foreign.“The quarterly GDP numbers, such as they are reported, present a GDP – Greatly Distorted Picture – of the economy. They do not convey the decidedly depressed private investment sentiment in the economy – both domestic and foreign,” Ramesh said in a post on X.He also claimed that consumer confidence was sluggish, household savings rates had fallen and debt had reached record highs.“Consumer confidence is very sluggish, hitting its lowest point since COVID and on a relentless downward trajectory since November 2025. Prices of household essentials are galloping. Educated unemployment is at alarming levels. The unabated trade deficit with China is wreaking havoc,” Ramesh said.He further claimed that the concentration of key sectors among a few large conglomerates was having “deleterious effects”, adding that the wealth of India’s five richest families had grown by 400 per cent while the real wages of salaried workers had fallen.
Congress asks: Where are the jobs?
Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said one quarter of 7.8 per cent growth did not amount to an “economic spring”.“One quarter of 7.8 per cent growth is not an economic spring. If India has truly ‘bloomed’, why do rampant unemployment, leaked exam papers, and a crumbling education system define the ground reality?” he said.“Why is the republic’s prosperity not translating into the prosperity of its public?” Khera asked.Taking aim at the prime minister’s remarks, he said GDP measures national output rather than jobs, wages or opportunities.“Modi can manage his headlines. For India’s youth, the question remains the same as ever: Where are the jobs?” Khera said.
PM Modi calls Q1 growth a ‘herculean feat’
The Congress’s criticism came after government data released on Monday showed that India’s economy grew by a faster-than-expected 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter.
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The growth figure exceeded the Reserve Bank of India’s forecast of 7 per cent for the quarter and kept India as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.Responding to the data, PM Modi took a dig at those questioning the state of the Indian economy, saying “doomsayers were doomed and India bloomed yet again”.The prime minister said India’s GDP growth during the first quarter of FY 2026-27 was a “herculean feat”.“The collective strength of our people ensured India delivered such growth despite oil price shocks and supply chain issues in the midst of global uncertainties,” PM Modi said in a post on X.The Q1 growth compares with a 6.9 per cent expansion in the year-ago quarter.The RBI has projected India’s economy to grow by 6.7 per cent in the full 2026-27 fiscal year.
