UPA's steps to improve economy "underestimated": Kharge

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge today said steps taken by UPA Government to improve the economy were underestimated but admitted there might have been implementation issues and delay in decision making due to a "vitiated" atmosphere in the country.
Kharge also claimed the previous government had taken many "hard decisions" be it diesel price hike, setting up rail fare regulatory authority or linking rail fares to fuel prices and none among businessman would believe allegations of crony capitalism or empty coffers against it.
Addressing the 97th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), Kharge was apparently referring to the "empty coffers" statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also projected as being capable of taking tough decisions.

"Current account deficit has been brought under control, foreign exchange reserves are comfortable and many hard decisions were already taken by the previous government- be it diesel price hike, setting up rail fare regulatory authority or linking rail fares to fuel prices," Kharge, a former Railway Minister, said.
"The steps taken by the government and the RBI in the last year to improve the economy are underestimated by many within the country. There may have been implementation issues and delay in decision making due to a vitiated atmosphere in the country," he added.
He said he is sure that none among the businessmen would believe in allegations of crony capitalism or empty coffers against the UPA government.

Kharge said some policy changes by UPA helped in insulating tough economic decisions from political pressures. "Like our former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said, history will be kinder (to UPA)," he added.
"We are looking forward to economic resurgence throughout the world. India too has seen much improvement in economic sentiment over the last year. What is important is how we are going to utilise this improvement in sentiment to trigger resurgence," Kharge said.