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Taking the Narendra Modi government in Parliament today to task over price rise, especially on rising pulse rates, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said PM can do what he wants as far as Make in India, Startup India, Swachh Bharat and other such schemes are concerned, but there is one thing he must do as soon as possible and that is announce a date by when the prices of pulses will come down. In his measured response, FM Arun Jaitley made a point by point rebuttal in an effort to demolish the Oppn leader's argument. Here is what they said, blow by blow: (PTI)
Rahul Gandhi: "I want to remind the Prime Minister of the promises he made to the people of the country during the poll campaign, which Modiji does not talk about now and has forgotten. He had also promised that when the BJP government comes to power, it will bring down the prices. (PTI) -
GST will bring three changes in principle: 1. System will be more efficient, 2. No cascading effect of tax on tax, 3. Lower or no tax on certain items.(PTI)
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Rahul Gandhi: "You (PM Modi) may make as many hollow promises as you want, but give us a date by when the prices of daal will come down.” (PTI)
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GST will bring three changes in principle: 1. System will be more efficient, 2. No cascading effect of tax on tax, 3. Lower or no tax on certain items.(PTI)
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Rahul Gandhi: In 2014, the price of tomato was Rs 18, which has shot up to Rs 55 in 2016. Urad and tur dal, priced at Rs 70 and 75 in February 2014, has gone up to Rs 160 and Rs 180 this month. There is a gap between the minimum support price for tur dal given to the farmers which was Rs 45 whereas its price in the market was Rs 75. Currently, the MSP has risen to Rs 50, but the price of the pulses was now Rs 180. So, there is a gap of Rs 130 in the NDA government. Where is this Rs 100 going? (PTI)
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Arun Jaitley: "You are talking about a government which left behind double digit inflation and today we have a situation where steps have been taken in each sector to contain inflation. Any form of bluster is not a substitute for statistics. These are backed by hard facts. Even today corruption scandals that emerge are those of UPAs and not NDA… We have contained inflation despite having two years of drought. Good monsoon helps economy and with good monsoon this year, I expect that the prices of will come down." (PTI)
Rahul Gandhi: "During elections, Modiji had said 'make me a chowkidar' (watchman). Now, there is a theft of dal under the very nose of the chowkidar. But the chowkidar has not uttered a word. He is mum. … Now he has become a big person. Leave that job of chowkidari to the Congress." (PTI) 
Arun Jaitley: "It is because of these policies to shore up public investment that for two years in a row that India has emerged as the fastest growing economy. It is mainly because of public investment and foreign investment that we are growing at a respectable rate, but we are not satisfied as we have greater potential. When the going is good, economies grow, but it is only when the going is challenging then the real challenge arises". (PTI) -
Rahul Gandhi: Government waived off Rs 52,000 crore of the corporates. What benefit the government has given to the farmers and housewives of the savings amounting Rs 2 lakh crore it has made from the slump in the crude prices. (PTI)
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Arun Jaitley: Gains (from low oil prices) have been utilised in three ways – to help oil PSUs to reduce their losses on account of subsidy, to invest in infrastructure and benefit common people by enabling them to shell out less money in buying petroleum products. 42 per cent of the gains due to fall in global crude oil prices is shared with the states with the Centre retaining 58 per cent of the share. (With inputs from PTI)
