Cong fiscal growth vision skewed at BJP angle

The Congress leaders also explained the need for an agenda paper on economic growth. ‘‘The rationale behind releasing a vision document is that it is supplementary to the manifesto. We have highlighted our agenda and track record. No one in the world is buying their (BJP) argument of higher economic growth,’’ said Dr Singh.

The Congress further said that it would achieve a higher growth rate by creating a congenial atmosphere for the growth of private (domestic and foreign) investment by eliminating red tapism, bringing in regulatory provisions and raising the rate of investment. Abolition of hunger, poverty and illiteracy are other issues on the Congress’ list.

The pro-poor agenda document also didn’t do well on the disinvestment issue. Mukherjee, responding to a query on disinvestment, said the party’s view on the issue had been clarified by president Sonia Gandhi. ‘‘PSUs having a track record of earning profit over a period of time need not be disinvested. It can be revived,’’ he said.

The paper also criticised the BJP for misleading the public by highlighting the growth figures for just two quarters and pointed out the failures made by the BJP-led government on economic reforms.

‘‘The economic policies of the BJP-led government have often been characterised by flip-flop and inconsistencies. All policies — trade and tariff, fiscal, disinvestment and regulatory — have been modified in response to momentary pressures from organised vested interests,’’ the vision document stated. It pointed out that many BJP leaders heading the government strongly advocated their opposition to economic reforms and added the Congress wanted the middle class to prosper with better access to amenities of life.

The Congress further said the BJP was reaping the rewards of the reforms that were initiated by Indira and Rajiv Gandhi’s vision.