The Congress party on Tuesday took a dig at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's recent call for focusing on '3Fs'—farm, food, and fertiliser—by pointing out that she forgot the fourth 'F'—falling private investment. The opposition party highlighted the decline in private investment as a major concern for the Indian economy.
Congress's Criticism
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that while the finance minister was busy talking about the '3Fs', she ignored the critical issue of falling private investment. He stated that the government's policies have led to a stagnation in private capital expenditure, which is essential for job creation and economic growth.
Khera further added that the '3Fs' mantra seems to be a diversion from the real problems facing the economy. He questioned the government's focus on short-term measures rather than addressing structural issues that hinder investment.
Falling Private Investment
Data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation shows that private investment as a percentage of GDP has been declining over the past few years. The Congress party argued that this trend is alarming and requires immediate attention from the government.
The opposition also pointed out that the government's own Economic Survey had flagged concerns about weak private investment. They accused the finance minister of ignoring these warnings and instead promoting a narrative that does not reflect the ground reality.
Sitharaman's '3Fs' Call
Earlier this week, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had urged the country to focus on the '3Fs'—farm, food, and fertiliser—to boost the economy. She emphasized the importance of these sectors in driving growth and ensuring food security.
However, the Congress party's response indicates that the government's message is not resonating with the opposition, which continues to highlight the lack of private investment as a key weakness in the economy.
