‘Amrit Kaal’ Has Turned Into ‘Maut Kaal’ Under Modi Govt: Congress

On Thursday, the Congress alleged that the 10 years of the Modi government have proven to be a “maut kaal (era of death)” instead of being “amrit kaal (immortal era)”. The party also claimed that the people are ready to “uproot” this regime.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary and in-charge communications said a government led by his party will change the condition of the people and the country through its ‘Paanch NYAY Pachees Guarantee‘ initiative. Ramesh alleged, “Prime Minister Modi talks about amrit kaal but in reality, his reign has proved to be maut kaal.”

Ramesh, citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) figures for 2023, said that in the last one year, 1.71 lakh citizens have died by suicide. He claimed that every day, 500 people are being forced to choose suicide, out of whom 30 are farmers. Ramesh said, “Three housewives, who take care of the house, are ending their lives every hour after getting fed up, and a total of 25,309 housewives have committed suicide.”

He claimed that almost 35 per cent of those who opt for suicide are youth and in 2022 alone, 15,783 people died by suicide owing to unemployment. The Congress leader added, “Seeing their future shrouded in darkness, 5,588 girl students have ended their lives in one year. The reasons for this frustration and disappointment among people are quite clear.”

Ramesh said unemployment has broken a 45-year record during the reign of Prime Minister Modi. “According to the latest data from CMIE, today the youth unemployment rate (20-24 years) in the country has crossed the dangerous level of 44.49 per cent. The youth unemployment rate in India increased to 23.22 per cent in 2022, which is higher than neighbouring Pakistan (11.3), Bangladesh (12.9) and Bhutan (14.4),” he said.

He alleged that more than 30 lakh posts are lying vacant in various departments of the government, while farmers are not getting the right price for their crops, adding that inflation has made people’s lives miserable.

Ramesh added, “But, now the end of this injustice is near. The people of the country are ready to uproot this government. After that, the Congress party-led government will change the condition of the country and people through ‘Paanch NYAY Pachees Guarantee’.”

The Congress party also attacked the Narendra Modi government after it notified revised MGNREGS wages for 2024-25, alleging that the daily wage rates in all states are well below the Rs 400 a day promised by the Congress under its ‘Shramik NYAY’ guarantees.

Reportedly, the Union government has notified the revised wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Ramesh, in a post on X, said that MGNREGA wages are revised annually with effect from April 1. He said, “For 2024/25, the Modi Government has just announced revised MGNREGA wages. Leaving aside the issue of whether this violates the spirit of the Model Code of Conduct in view of the forthcoming elections, the announced daily wage rates in ALL states are well below the Rs 400 a day, which is part of the ‘Shramik NYAY’ Guarantees of the Indian National Congress.”

The ‘Shramik NYAY’ announcement by the Congress guarantees a nationwide minimum wage of Rs 400 per day to put an end to wage stagnation. The Congress, as part of the guarantees, has also promised to conduct a comprehensive review of the Modi government’s labour codes and make suitable amendments to strengthen labour rights.