Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday released a video of his visit to a bus and truck body-building workshop in Rajasthan, accusing the Narendra Modi government of strangling micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). In the video, Gandhi interacts with workers and owners, highlighting the struggles faced by the sector.
Gandhi alleges slogans over substance
Gandhi claimed that the government's 'Make in India' and 'Vocal for Local' initiatives were merely slogans, as policies catered only to big industrialists. He said MSMEs, which form the backbone of the economy, are being ignored and burdened by regulatory hurdles, lack of credit access, and GST compliance issues.
According to Gandhi, the workshop owners shared stories of declining orders, delayed payments, and inability to compete with larger players. He asserted that the government's focus on crony capitalism has left small entrepreneurs struggling to survive.
MSME sector under stress
The MSME sector contributes nearly 30% to India's GDP and employs over 110 million people. However, recent data shows a slowdown in growth, with many units shutting down due to financial distress. Gandhi's visit underscores the growing political focus on the sector ahead of upcoming state elections.
He called for immediate policy interventions, including easier access to bank credit, reduction in GST rates, and faster clearance of pending dues from government departments. The Congress leader also demanded a special package for MSMEs to revive demand and create jobs.
