Rahul Gandhi claims 12 of 1,000 youth get permanent jobs

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said at the 'Chhatron ki Goonj' event in Prayagraj that only 12 out of every 1,000 young people secure permanent jobs, accusing the Modi government of destroying manufacturing, entrepreneurship and government recruitment. He blamed demonetisation and GST for closing the manufacturing door, said banks deny loans to 90% of small businesses under Startup India, and alleged paper leaks block government jobs. Livemint reports he called social media a 21st-century addiction that distracts youth from joblessness.

Separately, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at a CWC meeting accused the Modi government of destroying youth futures, saying 94,000 schools have closed and higher education is becoming unaffordable. He demanded an 'Education-to-Employment Roadmap' and questioned PM Modi's silence on an alleged scam involving Ram temple donations. The Hindu reports Kharge also raised concerns about Chinese border encroachment and said the government evaded questions during the Monsoon Session.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya dismissed Gandhi's event as a flop show and a rebranding of a party workers' convention, asserting youth support remains with Modi and the BJP.