Rahul Gandhi's Vision for Economic Equality
In a recent address to students, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi outlined his vision for economic equality in India. He emphasized the importance of a caste census and an economic survey to understand the distribution of wealth in the country.
Gandhi believes that a caste census will empower marginalized communities by revealing their true economic strength. He argues that people belonging to these communities, who constitute 90% of the population, are unaware of their collective wealth and are often misled about their share in the national economy.
He proposes an economic survey alongside the caste census to determine the exact distribution of wealth across different sections of society. This information, he believes, will be crucial for initiating "new politics" where people can demand their rightful share of resources based on their population size.
Gandhi's vision extends beyond wealth distribution. He also advocates for the abolishment of the Agniveer scheme, which he views as discriminatory towards lower-income groups. He proposes compensating the 1.5 lakh youngsters who were initially selected but not inducted into the armed forces under this scheme.
Furthermore, he criticizes the government's handling of the economy, claiming that the system of employment creation has been dismantled, and small businesses are struggling due to GST and demonetization. He proposes the Right to Apprenticeship scheme to guarantee jobs and income for students after graduation or diploma.
Gandhi also highlights the government's alleged favoritism towards big industrialists, claiming that loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore were waived off for them, while ordinary citizens received no such relief. He contrasts this with the Congress's plan to deposit Rs 1 lakh per year into the accounts of the poorest women in the country.
Gandhi's vision for economic equality is based on transparency, empowerment, and social justice. He believes that by understanding the true distribution of wealth and providing opportunities for all, India can move towards a more equitable and prosperous future.