New Delhi -As the G-20 summit commenced its proceedings, the Congress party did not shy away from criticizing the Modi government’s actions, notably the unprecedented delay in conducting the national census. This delay, lasting over three years, has had dire consequences, with an estimated 14 crore people reportedly excluded from their entitled food provisions. Moreover, the Congress accused the government of withholding data that could potentially cast it in an unfavorable light.
Jairam Ramesh, the General Secretary (Organisation) of the Congress, launched a scathing attack on the government’s inefficiency, highlighting that even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous G20 countries, including developing nations like Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa, managed to carry out their census activities. Ramesh emphasized that the Modi administration’s inability to execute India’s critical statistical exercise, consistently conducted since 1951, marks an unprecedented failure in the nation’s history.
The absence of an updated census has dire consequences, with an estimated 14 crore Indians reportedly excluded from their entitled food provisions under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). As per the NFSA, 67% of India’s population is entitled to subsidized food rations. Due to the government’s failure to conduct the census in 2021, the NFSA coverage is based on outdated 2011 census data, affecting the entitlements of 95 crore Indians. New beneficiaries are being denied their rights for at least two years now.
Mr. Ramesh did not stop there; he also accused the government of suppressing the data from the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census. Furthermore, he criticized the government’s opposition to the state-level caste census in Bihar, emphasizing the importance of accurately categorizing and characterizing the OBC population for equitable development and social justice.
The Congress leader asserted that the Modi government habitually avoids collecting data that contradicts its narrative. To substantiate this claim, Ramesh cited reports suggesting that the 2022-23 Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) might be intentionally delayed until after the 2024 elections, despite its completion in July 2023. Ramesh alleged that this delay is motivated by the government’s fear of exposing its governance shortcomings.
Similarly, Ramesh pointed out that the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2019-20 revealed concerning health indicators, such as the persistence of open defecation and an increase in anaemia among women and children. In response, the government suspended the Director of the International Institute of Population Sciences, responsible for conducting the NFHS, and ceased measuring anaemia from NFHS-6.
These accusations from the Congress have stirred up discussions on the government’s transparency and handling of crucial data. As the G-20 summit progresses, these issues are expected to be closely monitored, potentially impacting India’s international image.
