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Unhappy with questions on GDP calculation, job data, BJP MPs block Parl Committee report

Published

7 years ago

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BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi

BJP MPs have blocked the adoption of the Parliament’s Estimates Committee report that questioned the mechanism for calculating the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the job data, said media reports.

This is the third report of a Standing Committee to be blocked due to protests by BJP members, noted a NDTV report.

The parliamentary panel headed by veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, in a draft report prepared by it, has questioned the mechanism for calculating the country’s GDP and asserted that the methodology needs review to reflect the ground reality, reported The Hindu.

The report also questions the reliability of employment data collected by the government, reported NDTV.

The report, which was tabled in the Estimates Committee meeting on Thursday, created a rift among the BJP parliamentarians of the panel, as Joshi was in favour of adopting the report, while other party members led by MP Nishikant Dubey strongly opposed it, The Hindu said.

“Detailed examination reveals several inadequacies in the GDP measuring mechanism, most noticeable being depletion of natural resources not being taken into consideration,” the report stated.

It also said there is no mechanism to assess whether increase in GDP leads to happiness among the people.

The committee concluded that the mechanism developed for GDP estimation needs review and it should reflect the ground reality.

Countering the claims in the report, Dubey said India has adopted and followed all globally accepted parameters for calculating the GDP, and in an era of globalisation, the country cannot isolate itself by developing an indigenous method to calculate the index.

He further said if the country does so, it will severely impact flow of foreign investment and the country’s ratings by international agencies.

About calculation of unemployment in the country, the report claimed annual employment and unemployment surveys have their own limitations, and said it is disturbing to note that the most precise period for which complete data on employment is available is 2011-12.

As per sources, the draft report of the Estimates Committee on “measuring growth, employment and income” asks the government on how it can address the critical issue of unemployment if it does not have “real time” and “holistic” data.

It points out that the latest National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) survey on employment was carried on in 2011. The Labour Bureau started carrying out quarterly employment surveys only since April 2016. And that too covers non-farm eight major sectors and it does not reflect the work force engaged in establishments having less than 10 workers which constitute 98% of the establishments, the report notes.

The report also criticises the sample size of the NSSO survey which had only 600 sample villages. The report has criticised the approach as “casual and shoddy”.

Noting these constraints, the draft report said: “With the aforesaid scenario whereby up-to-date realistic position about the employment at a particular time on various important parameters is not available, the committee fails to understand how the critical issue of unemployment in the country can be addressed.”

In the committee’s meeting held on Thursday, BJP members led by Jharkhand MP Nishikant Dubey and Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri first protested, claiming that they had not got adequate time to read the report.

Joshi countered saying that the report was circulated on October 3 and each member was given multiple reminders to read it.

Dubey, according to sources, said that evidence of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has not been adequately recorded.

Joshi, according to sources, snapped at Dubey, asking him to read the report closely before making such charges.

A few BJP members reportedly pressed for a dissent note, to which Joshi did not agree. He reportedly told both the BJP MPs that financial committees like the estimates committee, according to Parliamentary conventions, do not carry any notes of dissent as they are based on the data provided by the government itself. So what the labour ministry submits is sacrosanct.

Significantly, said a report in The Wire, even while the meeting was going on, BJP leader Vijay Goel, who is not a member of the committee, was seen outside and communicating with the party MPs. Sources say that Goel was sent as an emissary by BJP president Amit Shah.

A Reserve Bank of India-backed research report stated that during the first two years of the Modi administration, employment in 27 sectors fell by 0.2% and 0.1% respectively, said The Wire report. This happened even though GDP growth was at a decent 7.4% and 8.2% in 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively. This resulted in a loss of nearly 10 lakh jobs, according to the research.

Independent estimates of job situation, such as by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), also have not painted a flattering picture, the report pointed out.

In the last year, Modi has given a number of interviews to friendly publications, wherein he has stated that “jobs were being created but the data did not reflect them”. He has often claimed that work such as “pakoda frying” are productive jobs but are not reflected in organised sector data.

Significantly, the government has shown little respect for parliamentary checks and balances. Last month, it removed the BJP’s own BC Khanduri as the chairman of the defence committee, replacing him with Kalraj Mishra, after the committee gave a report which made adverse remarks on India’s defence preparedness.

BJP members also derailed a report of the standing committee on external affairs chaired by congress MP, Shashi Tharoor which had taken the government to task over the Doklam stand-off with China.

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Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre ahead of Vladimir Putin’s India visit

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government discourages visiting foreign dignitaries from meeting Opposition leaders, calling it a sign of “insecurity,” hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi.

Published

1 day ago

on

December 4, 2025

By

Rahul Gandhi

As Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi today for the India-Russia Annual Summit, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has renewed his charge that the Centre discourages visiting foreign leaders from meeting Opposition representatives. He called it a sign of “insecurity” within the government.

Rahul Gandhi alleges break in long-followed tradition

Speaking outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said that it has traditionally been the norm for visiting foreign leaders to meet the Leader of the Opposition, a practice he claims continued during the tenures of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

He alleged that the present government advises foreign dignitaries against such meetings. “When foreign leaders come, the government suggests they should not meet the Leader of the Opposition. This is their policy,” Gandhi said. He added that a meeting with the Opposition offers visiting leaders a broader perspective, as “we too represent India.”

Gandhi further stated that this approach reflects the government’s reluctance to allow engagement between the Opposition and foreign guests.

Former Foreign Secretary counters Gandhi’s remarks

Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, former Foreign Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla said visiting leaders operate on very tight schedules and there is no protocol mandating a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition. He stressed that such interactions depend entirely on the guest’s time and preference, noting that the required meetings are those with the President and the Prime Minister.

Putin’s schedule packed with bilateral engagements

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to land in Delhi this evening on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation. His itinerary includes:

  • A private dinner with PM Modi
  • Visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat
  • Engagements at Bharat Mandapam and Hyderabad House
  • A banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu

The visit forms part of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

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TMC MLA Humayun Kabir suspended after Babri Mosque replica proposal sparks row

TMC suspended MLA Humayun Kabir after he proposed building a Babri mosque replica in Murshidabad, a move that drew criticism from the party and sparked political tension.

Published

1 day ago

on

December 4, 2025

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Trinamool Congress on Thursday suspended MLA Humayun Kabir after he publicly announced plans to construct a replica of the Babri Masjid in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. Party leaders said Kabir had earlier been cautioned for making such statements but continued to push ahead with the controversial proposal.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said the MLA’s remarks were unacceptable, stressing that the party stood firmly by its secular stance. “We noticed that one of our MLAs suddenly declared he would build the Babri masjid. We had warned him before. As per the party’s decision, we are suspending him,” he said.

Kabir vows to continue project, may form new party

Kabir had planned to lay the foundation stone for the mosque replica in Beldanga on December 6. Sources indicated he is likely to resign from Trinamool on Friday and float a new party while continuing with the project.

The choice of date and nature of the project drew sharp criticism from the Trinamool leadership. Hakim alleged the move reflected a “divisional politics” strategy aligned with the BJP. “Why December 6? He could build a school or college. This is divisional politics,” he said.

Sources also said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was “hugely annoyed” by Kabir’s remarks and informed him that the party would not support or associate with such activities.

Governor raises concerns, administration on alert

West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose questioned why action was not being taken if the MLA’s statements risked creating a law-and-order issue. He said intelligence inputs suggested attempts to turn Murshidabad into a “hub of scandal,” adding that authorities would not remain silent if communal tensions were provoked.

Officials confirmed that while Kabir has permission to hold the December 6 event, the administration is maintaining a high-level alert in Murshidabad.

Minutes after his suspension, Kabir withdrew from Mamata Banerjee’s rally in the India–Bangladesh border district, where she was protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.

BJP attacks Kabir over remarks

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo condemned Kabir’s comments, claiming they were intended to “create communal tensions.” He said any attempt to raise structures linked to historical rulers would trigger disputes similar to the Babri Masjid conflict.

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Karnataka Power Shift: What Siddaramaiah–DK Shivakumar compromise formula means

A closer look at the emerging ‘compromise formula’ between Karnataka’s top leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, and how it may shape the state’s political future.

Published

6 days ago

on

November 29, 2025

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A possible settlement between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has emerged, signalling a calmer phase in the leadership tussle within the state Congress. While the final decision rests with the party leadership in Delhi, details of the so-called “compromise formula” are gradually becoming clearer.

Breakfast diplomacy calms tensions

After weeks of speculation over friction between the two top leaders, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met over breakfast today. The meeting, aimed at projecting unity, served as a symbolic reset after their strained ties over the chief ministership question.

Analysts believe the optics were crucial — the Congress successfully avoided a public showdown by diffusing tensions before they escalated further.

A transition of power likely, say analysts

According to political observers, the compromise indicates a strong possibility of Shivakumar taking over as Chief Minister in a smooth transition, potentially as early as March–April 2026.
For now, sources say the arrangement requires Shivakumar to continue as Deputy Chief Minister without pushing for immediate change.

In return, the formula reportedly includes more cabinet positions for leaders loyal to Shivakumar and continuation of his role as the state Congress chief. Siddaramaiah is also expected to back Shivakumar as the party’s face for the 2028 Assembly election.

Why the Congress prefers this route

Replacing Siddaramaiah abruptly would not only upset internal balance but could also weaken the party, given his stature and mass appeal. Shivakumar, despite his influence, does not have the numbers within the legislature to force a takeover, making compromise the most viable path.

Siddaramaiah has already stated that this will be his final term as Chief Minister. With his legacy secure and his position as one of Karnataka’s tallest leaders intact, he appears willing to enable a dignified transition when the time comes.

Variables that could shape the final outcome

The success of the formula depends on three key factors:

1. Trust between the two leaders

Whether Shivakumar believes Siddaramaiah will keep his word remains uncertain. Karnataka’s political history is full of last-minute shifts, giving rise to the phrase “natak in Karnataka”.

2. Decision-making by the Congress high command

Delhi’s leadership must ensure the transition happens on time and without internal resistance, especially in the run-up to the 2028 Assembly polls.

3. Caste equations and political alignment

Siddaramaiah is the strongest face of the AHINDA bloc, while Shivakumar represents the OBC Vokkaliga community. The Congress cannot afford to alienate either group, making the timing and execution of any transition extremely delicate.

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