The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has strongly objected to the Economic Survey’s claim that the Indian economy remains “strong and resilient” amid global uncertainties. The party said that the resilience reflected in official data and projections is not visible in the everyday lives of ordinary people.

SDPI stated that a consumption-driven growth model cannot be projected as an achievement when unemployment, inflation, declining incomes and rising household debt continue to affect the public at large. According to the party, economic conditions remain worrying for workers, farmers, minorities and those engaged in the informal sector. SDPI asserted that “macroeconomic optimism is meaningless if the common citizen continues to struggle with inflation and daily expenses.”

Reacting to the Economic Survey’s emphasis on the private sector as the main driver of the next phase of growth, SDPI said this raises serious questions about the government’s economic vision. The party noted that after years of tax concessions, policy relaxations and incentives, shifting the entire responsibility onto the private sector is a matter of grave concern. According to SDPI, “growth cannot be left solely to corporate goodwill while public welfare and social security are being weakened.”

The party also warned about continued pressure on the rupee, saying it would directly lead to higher fuel prices and increased costs of essential commodities, placing an additional burden on ordinary households. SDPI demanded an immediate course correction in economic policies, calling for prioritising job creation, stronger support for the MSME sector, increased public investment, control over inflation and a comprehensive social security framework.

SDPI National Acting President Mohammad Shafi said that “the true strength of the economy lies in economic justice, not in corporate-driven growth narratives.”