Sonia Gandhi attacks Centre for not conducting Census

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi criticized the Modi government on Wednesday claiming that it has no intention to conduct the Census, which has been overdue since 2021.She added that the failure to conduct the census will not only prevent an accurate estimate of the country's population but also deny over 12 crore citizens, particularly from scheduled castes and tribes, benefits under the National Food Security Act.While speaking at the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting held at in the national capital Sonia said, "It is clear that the Government has no intention whatsoever to conduct the Census that was last due in 2021. It also means that at least 12 crore of our citizens are denied the benefit of the National Food Security Act of 2013 - now repackaged as PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana," as per a statement issued by the All India Congress Committee.Sonia Gandhi in her speech at the CPP meeting expressed Condolences to the families affected by the Wayanad landslide and other natural disasters. Our thoughts are with these victims as well," she said.Speaking about the 2024-25 budget, Sonia Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for its handling of economic and social challenges, particularly concerning farmers and youth. The professional character and autonomy of organizations like the NCERT, UGC and even of Constitutional bodies like the UPSC have been all but destroyed," she said.She also criticized the government's handling of national security and terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the deaths of security personnel and a large number of civilians due to such attacks make a mockery of the Modi government's claims that all is well in the state.