PM austerity call: Pawar seeks all-party meeting

Pune: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said unease has crept in among investors and citizens after PM Narendra Modi's appeal on the judicious use of resources that may have a long-lasting impact. Pawar urged the PM to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the state of the economy.On Sunday, Modi appealed to citizens to curb fuel and gold purchases and take other measures to conserve foreign exchange reserves amid global disruptions caused by the war in West Asia. Pawar on Tuesday took to X to call Modi's statement "sudden" in nature and claimed that it has created unease among ordinary citizens and investors in the industry and the business sector. "This situation is certainly a cause for concern," he wrote. He said the PM should convene an all-party meeting. "It is essential for the welfare of the country to involve members from all parties in the decision-making process on issues which are of national interest," he added. Opposition parties have criticised Modi and the central govt following his appeal and claimed that the country is facing an economic crisis due to the mismanagement by govt. Amid the criticism, Pawar advised the central govt to seek broad consultations. "The Prime Minister should immediately call a meeting with renowned economic experts in the country, representatives from the industry sector and relevant specialists to review the current situation." Building confidence among common people should be the topmost priority of govt under the current circumstances, he said.