Economists calculate the cost of Congress manifesto, seek roadmap for manufacturing growth

seek roadmap for manufacturing growth Economists, however, say that a revision of tax rates by the incumbent government is needed.

- NIVEDITA MUKHERJEE

Amidst the emerging slugfest between “Modi’s Guarantee” and the Congress’ “Nyay Patra”, the battle of the manifestoes has intensified, with the Grand Old Party’s 46-page package of deliveries ahead of the Lok Sabha polls scheduled to begin on 19 April, attracting a mix of scepticism and scrutiny even as its proponents magnify the intent to “reverse the damage,” which the NDA government has heaped on the nation.

The problem, say economists who The Sunday Guardian spoke to, lies in the vagueness of the term “justice”, which is at the heart of the “Nyay Patra” and is aimed to be dispensed through a slew of promises across a large constituency of India’s youth, women, farmers, minorities and the marginalised. “We want justice in this and we want justice in that. They are not very clear on how their policies will achieve that justice and whether that justice is justice or something else. I was a bit disappointed,” economist Surjit Bhalla told The Sunday Guardian.