New Delhi, May 13: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has mounted a strong criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the government of hypocrisy over its calls for austerity while allegedly continuing large-scale spending on publicity and neglecting welfare support for vulnerable citizens.
In a post on X, Kharge said the Prime Minister’s recent appeals for citizens to adopt austerity and reduce expenditure stand in contrast to the government’s failure to revise pensions for the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities for the past 12 years. He argued that rising inflation has eroded the value of these fixed pensions, leaving beneficiaries increasingly unable to meet basic needs.
Kharge claimed that the monthly pension of Rs 200 has effectively fallen to about Rs 110 in real terms, Rs 300 to around Rs 165, and Rs 500 to approximately Rs 275 due to an estimated 45 per cent erosion in purchasing power. He said such amounts are insufficient even for essential expenses such as food, healthcare, and medicines, particularly for India’s most vulnerable citizens.
He further alleged that while millions of elderly and disadvantaged people struggle with inadequate support, the government continues to spend heavily on publicity and self-promotion. According to figures cited by him, the Centre has spent about Rs 5,987.46 crore on advertisements and promotional activities between 2014–15 and 2024–25.
Kharge also claimed that the government spends nearly Rs1.5 crore every day on advertisements and branding exercises, while simultaneously conducting large political campaigns, high-profile events, and maintaining expensive administrative convoys. He said this reflects misplaced priorities and a disregard for economic dignity among disadvantaged groups.
Describing the situation as unjust, Kharge said the ruling party’s governance model “strips disadvantaged citizens of their economic dignity while spending extravagantly on political spectacle.” He argued that the government’s emphasis on image-building and publicity contrasts sharply with the living conditions of crores of Indians dependent on social welfare schemes.
His remarks come after Prime Minister Modi’s recent appeal for citizens to adopt austerity measures amid global economic uncertainties, including reducing fuel consumption, limiting imports, avoiding unnecessary foreign travel, and adopting more efficient spending practices to strengthen the economy.
Kharge countered that such calls for restraint must also apply to the government itself, insisting that fiscal discipline should begin at the top. He suggested that welfare spending, particularly for the elderly and disabled, should be prioritised over advertising and promotional expenditure.
The exchange reflects ongoing political tensions between the ruling party and the opposition over economic policy, welfare allocation, and governance priorities, with both sides presenting sharply contrasting narratives on how public resources should be used. (PTI)
