Left’s economic model questioned by the Finance Minister

Left Economic Model was questioned by Arun Jaitley

March 24, 2016

Jaitley questions Left’s economic model

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]T[/dropcap]he model pursued by the left parties, especially in West Bengal, claiming the data indicated “extremely inadequate” living conditions of minorities in the state was questioned by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday.

Jaitley said, “the structural economic model followed was the one that did not ensure high growth rates so the growth rates were not adequate, even though you had a large population (of minorities) and political stability”.

In National Commission of Minorities on ‘Economic Empowerment of Minorities’ he delivered a lecture which was organised by them.

Despite being a major state he said even today West Bengal continues to be an revenue-deficit state.

He asked, “Except for a brief period from 1967 and 1971, why is it the state like West Bengal has seen political stability since Independence and data indicates the living conditions which are far less than adequate where it has a sizeable minority population.”

““The state followed a model where growth levels were not fast enough in the terms of growth of economy” which was one of the reason for that, Jaitley said.

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]J[/dropcap]aitley said: “I think it isa question which should be discussed.”

The minister said the Centre is committed to advance the cause of minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

Post-1991, improvement in conditions of deprived sections of society has been faster compared with pre-1991 period but it has not been uniform, he said.

Education is the key to improve their condition faster and uniformly and similarly skill development is another means to achieve it, Jaitley said.

Speaking on the occasion, union Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptulla said that effective implementation of schemes and ensuring uniformity in development are the two guiding principles for ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ programme of the Modi government.