President's Economic Survey speech 'scripted, misleading': Congress

Branding President Pranab Mukherjee's Economic survey speech as a 'disappointment', Congress leader Anand Sharma asserted that the address was just a 'Constitutional requirement' which was prepared by the Centre, adding that the words in the speech were not his personal opinions.

"Those are not the President's personal views as we know. President reads the address that is prepared by the government, so it should not be seen as an endorsement, that's a constitutional requirement," Sharma said.

He added that the President's address was misleading as the current economic situation of the country and facts in the address were a mismatch.

"When we look at what is happening in the country and what has been conveyed through the President's address, I can only say that it is hugely, disappointing, misleading," he said.

He went on to say that the address creates a false impression about the achievements whereas the fundamentals of the Indian Economy are very weak.

The Congress leader further questioned, "How can there be the growth that is claimed? There are not only false claims being made but also at the same time promises which are impossible to fulfil."

Re-iterating that the present government has failed to deliver, Sharma said that there is manipulation in the name of development, which is state directed and state controlled.

President Pranab Mukherjee, according to tradition, addressed members of both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday ahead of the Budget Session for the fiscal year 2017-18, which created a buzz.

The Economic Survey 2017 was also tabled before the Parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday following the president's speech.

In his speech, the President spoke about demonetisation saying, "To combat black money, corruption, counterfeit currency and terror financing, the government took the decision of demonetisation on November 8, 2016. The resilience demonstrated by our countrymen, particularly the poor, in the fight against black money and corruption is remarkable."

The Finance Minister will present the Union Budget in the Parliament today.