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Aiyar seeks rethink on economic policies

New Delhi: Union Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on Wednesday flayed the government’s economic policies, saying the financial condition of the majority of the population was “disappointing,” and sought a “rethink.”

Mr. Aiyar said that despite the claim of a booming economy, a majority of Indians still did not have a decent living.

“India may be at the forefront in terms of billionaires or the economy may have registered sound growth, but what about the plight of the common people? In terms of the U.N. Human Development index our ranking is 128,” he said.

“We will have to think about the poor while framing the economic policies of the country,” Mr. Aiyar said, addressing a function to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 60th death anniversary.

Citing the findings of a recent report, he said 83.6 crore people were able to spend only Rs. 20 a day on an average for their livelihood. Of this, 23.9 crore could spend only Rs. 9 a day. “It reflects the economic situation of the majority of our population, which is very disappointing.”

Greater focus was required in the agriculture sector as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi. “We must not deviate from Gandhi’s vision,” Mr. Aiyar said.

Addressing a gathering of school children, Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said secularism was the bedrock of India’s democracy and any compromise on it would threaten the stability of the country.

Without naming any party, he said if forces opposed to Gandhi’s teachings grabbed power, then it might pose a threat to our democratic foundation. — PTI

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