New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday criticised the Narendra Modi government over the state of the economy, saying the current government does not acknowledge there is a word such as 'slowdown'.
"If you do not recognise problems you face, you are not likely to find credible answers", said Dr Singh while addressing a gathering at the launch of a book, 'Backstage', by former Planning deputy chairman of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
Stating the content of the book, which is describing the policy matters of the then UPA government, the former Prime Minister said that these issues should be debated because, "we have today a government that does not acknowledge that there is such a word as slowdown".
"I think this is not good for our country," Dr Singh said and added that 5 trillion dollar economy by 2024-25 is wishful thinking.
Questioning the government's claim to double the farmer's income, the former Prime Minister said that there is no reason to expect that farmers income will be doubled in a three year period.
Dr Singh has also praised former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and said, "the reforms period was a tortuous path. The Bombay Club was not in favour of liberalisation. But I knew I had very little time. I forced the government to devalue the rupee. I am very grateful to Prime Minister Rao for standing by me".
UNI KNA SHK2055