Defending his Government’s decision to hike minimum wages in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said money in the hands of the poor and middle class, and not “Ambani and Adani”, will benefit the country’s economy.
“The Congress was in Ambani’s pockets and the Modi Government is in Adani’s pocket,” Kejriwal said. The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering of labour unions at his residence. Kejriwal said it’s to be seen whether the BJP and the Congress show the courage to take similar decisions in the States ruled by them.
Also, Kejriwal claimed that he had read somewhere that Adani’s income had trebled in the last three years.
He said if incomes go up, the poor will buy food grain, bicycles, but if money goes into Adani’s pocket, he’ll buy his wife a helicopter.
The AAP leader said, “Modi ji, you’ve served Adani enough. Now serve the people. It is yet to see whether the Central Government hikes minimum wages in other States or not. If they won’t people will teach them lesson,”
“I told those who are threatening to strike work and shut industries that overall business is anyway bleak across the country since no one has money in hand. When money will reach the poor then it will have a positive effect on the economy as demand and subsequently consumption will rise,” Kejriwal said.
Interestingly, ruling AAP’s trade wing has warned of a strike in Delhi in case the decision to raise wages is not withdrawn. It is also going to the raise the issue with lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung.
“Policies have to benefit the poor. There will be an escalation of cost, no doubt, but in the middle term and long term it will benefit everyone when money will reach the middle class and poor,” Kejriwal said.
The CM alleged that the Government policies are “deliberately” framed to ensure profit for a few families in the country, leading to “deepening” chasm in society and spike in unemployment and crime.
“We will have to implement it in Delhi and then raise our voice across the country. I urge Modiji to look beyond Ambani and care for the people. If the Centre wants then it can implement the same across the country in one go,” he said.
Delhi Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to enhance the minimum wages for unskilled person to `14,052 against the existing `9,568 in the national Capital. Besides, the same for semi-skilled and skilled persons will increase from `10,582 to `15,471 and from `11,622 to `17,033 respectively. This would be highest in the country.