Demonetization, faulty implementation of GST has destroyed jobs in MSME sector: Chidambaram

New Delhi, May 1 (KNN) Senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that the Modi government regime has destroyed the jobs in the MSME sector by steps like demonetization and faulty implementation of Goods & Services Tax (GST) in the country.

With the implementation of Goods and Service Tax and demonetization, thousands of jobs in micro, small and medium industries were destroyed, he said while addressing the Indian Youth Congress National Executive Meeting.

Though there are so many issues to look upon but the biggest challenge in 2019 elections will be unemployment, said the former finance minister.

He alleged that there were vacancies across the sectors and thousands of jobs could have been created but this government completely killed the market.

“What little was left, it was killed by demonetization, what little enterprise was there, was killed by the GST,” he added.

The former Minister also said that Gujarat leaders like Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mevani were able to mobilize thousands of people because of lack of jobs.

Highlighting the job prospects in the economy, Chidambaram said that there was just one teacher each in one lakh government schools.

"If at least five teachers are recruited in these one-teacher schools, millions of jobs will be created.

Similarly there were vacancies of doctors, clerks, peons and safai karamcharis in various departments, he added.

Focusing on creation of investment friendly environment, Chidambaram said that investment had gone down drastically in last 4 years.

He said that if the Congress returned to power, it would focus on creating jobs in MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), besides paying attention to exports and off-farm jobs, such as poultry, food processing and dairy farming. (KNN/YV)