Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal defended India’s 7.8% first-quarter GDP growth figures in Delhi, pushing back against opposition leaders, a former finance secretary, and a former central bank governor. He rejected claims that the data was inflated or manipulated, insisting it is compiled independently. Goyal criticized critics for comparing figures calculated under older and newer statistical methodologies, calling the comparison misleading, and argued that those who once oversaw these same institutional processes are now raising doubts for political reasons.
Goyal credited India’s growth momentum to the capability and collective effort of the country’s 140 crore citizens, predicting continued rapid growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Meanwhile, Congress leaders argued that the government has been selective in citing favorable figures while ignoring weaker indicators in employment, consumption, and export performance.
This dispute highlights a broader disagreement over India’s economic health and measurement methodology. While the government uses the expanding economy to position India as a trusted partner for global investors, domestic critics continue to press for greater transparency.