02 September,2026 12:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Shiv Sena (UBT) has criticised the Centre over its celebration of India's reported 7.8 per cent quarterly GDP growth, arguing that headline economic figures fail to reflect rising inflation, unemployment and financial distress among ordinary citizens.
In an editorial in the party mouthpiece âSaamana' on Wednesday, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's social media post highlighting the GDP numbers. The editorial described the government's approach as "grandstanding" and questioned whether strong growth figures were translating into better living conditions for people.
The party asked why around 85 crore people continue to depend on free food grains if the country is witnessing unprecedented economic progress. It also cited more than 7,000 farmer suicides in a year as an indication of the economic pressures faced by rural communities.
The editorial also raised concerns over financial stress in Maharashtra, claiming that unpaid government bills to contractors have crossed Rs 90,000 crore. It alleged that 17 contractors had died by suicide amid financial difficulties.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) also questioned the reported unspent balance of Rs 10,000 crore in the PM CARES Fund, asking why such funds could not be used to provide relief to struggling sections of society.
The party highlighted a series of price increases that came into effect ahead of the festive season. It said milk prices in Mumbai had increased by Rs 9-10 per litre, while jaggery prices had risen by 25 per cent and onion prices had crossed Rs 50 per kg.
The editorial also referred to increases in CNG and domestic PNG prices, saying higher fuel costs were adding to transportation expenses and contributing to higher auto-rickshaw and taxi fares.
It further claimed that the rising cost of sugar and milk had pushed the price of a basic cup of cutting tea to Rs 13, adding to the burden on daily wage earners and other low-income workers.
On agriculture, the party said growth had slowed from 4.4 per cent to 3.6 per cent. It also expressed concern over a prolonged dry spell during the monsoon and its possible impact on Kharif crops and rural incomes.
The editorial concluded that a falling rupee, rising unemployment and persistent inflation presented a different picture from the government's GDP narrative. It argued that statistical growth figures alone could not hide the economic difficulties faced by millions of households.
(With inputs from IANS)
