India's Commerce Minister Hits Back at Critics Over Economic Growth Rate

The Commerce Minister hit out at critics and opposition leaders who were constantly questioning the real growth rate of 7. 8 per cent and cornering the government on the availability of jobs. Goyal quipped that these people with a negative mindset are unable to digest that there are only unemployed left in the country and they have no work left but to concoct concocted arguments sitting on TV panels. Responding to the issue of employment, he said that the demand for workers in the country is very strong, especially in the textile sector. He cited the demand of the industry and challenged, "Send me 1,00,000 people to Tiruppur, we will provide them jobs immediately." Goyal clarified that politicians, ministers or MPs do not prepare these figures themselves, but they are recorded under a transparent and established system. He cautioned the opposition that with such negative thinking, they are proving themselves to be small. The first quarter growth rate of India this year has been dismissed by the government as a big debate between the country's economic policy makers and the finance minister.