30 lakh youth unemployed in Gujarat, claims Rahul Gandhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Gujarat government of failing to provide employment to the youth, saying that nearly 30 lakh youth were unemployed in the state.

"Education's goal is to provide employment. And the Gujarat government charges for education but doesn't provide jobs," Gandhi said, while addressing a meeting over unemployment here.

Rahul, who is campaigning in Gujarat, also alleged that River Narmada's water was being given to top ten industrialists.

"They (state government) snatched your land, didn't give you compensation, lathi-charged you and gave your water to the industrialists. This is Gujarat model," Rahul asserted.

The Gandhi scion also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, saying he did not think about farmers and labourers when he scrapped high-value notes suddenly on November 8 last year.

"Had he talked to farmers, labourers and small shopkeepers then they would have told him that their most of the dealings happen in cash and not through cheque," Rahul said.

The Congress leader also alleged the prime minister helped 'real thieves' to convert their black money into white.

He also said the Centre implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to "literally finish small traders".

An indirect tax, the GST was introduced on July 1, which replaced multiple cascading taxes levied by the central and state governments.

Earlier in the day, the Congress leader interacted with the tribal students at Chotta Udaipur where he accused state Chief Minister Vijay Rupani of handing over the education sector to private players.

"Education and health sectors have become means of earning money. When the Congress party forms the government in Gujarat then this will change," Rahul claimed.

The Congress Vice President is eyeing to dethrone the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat. The last Congress government in Gujarat was led by Chhabildas Mehta from February 17, 1994 to March 13, 1995.

The 14th legislative assembly election in Gujarat is to be held by the end of 2017 as the term of 13th assembly ends on January 22, 2018.