Crony capitalism flourished in 5 years of Modi rule: Ghanshyam Tiwari

JAIPUR: Congress leader

Ghanshyam Tiwari

on Wednesday alleged that

crony capitalism

flourished in the five years of the Modi government as 73 per cent of the wealth generated in the country went into hands of 1 per cent businessman close to the ruling dispensation.


Addressing his first press conference after joining the Congress at the PCC, he said Congress party’s proposed NYAY scheme will not only reduce the rich-poor divide but uplift 20 percent of the poorest population out of poverty.

“Leading agencies have revealed that economic disparity has increased at a fast rate in the past five years... Sixty-seven crore people got only 1 per cent wealth generated in the country whereas 73 per cent went into the hands of 1 per cent people,”

Tiwari

said.

He said, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi allocated Rs 60,000 crore of annual grant to corporate sector, the Congress's NYAY scheme will give Rs 72,000 per year to poor families, will boost consumption and kick start the stagnant economy.

Replying to the criticism of the BJP on the source of funding of the scheme, he said out of 150 centrally sponsored schemes(CSS) many of them are at the final stages and the fund for such schemes could be channelised to finance NYAY scheme.

Tiwari said the Congress manifesto reflected people's aspirations as it was made in consultation with people at various levels while the BJP manifesto is conspicuous by its silence on its achievements in the last five years.

“An important feature of the manifesto is a separate budget for agriculture and panchayat and local bodies to get a share out of GST to strengthen them. Another aspect is the priority given to employment in government sector both at the state and centre and the promise of 33 % reservation for women in government job,” he claimed.

A five-time legislator, Tiwari had resigned from the BJP due to his growing difference with the its state and central leadership.