Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi Government Over ‘Exclusionary System’, Demands Transparency in Bahujan Contracts
Opposition leader alleges systemic exclusion as Centre admits no tracking of SC, ST, OBC share in major infrastructure deals
New Delhi, Apr 7: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Modi-led government of sustaining an exclusionary framework by failing to ensure fair participation of Bahujan entrepreneurs in high-value public contracts.
Raising the issue in Parliament, Gandhi sought clarity on the distribution of public works contracts worth Rs 16,500 crore awarded last year. He questioned how many of these contracts were secured by businesses owned by Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Highlighting the government’s response, Gandhi said it was “deeply concerning” that no official data is maintained on the participation of these communities in large infrastructure projects. He pointed out that while public procurement policy mandates 25% sourcing from MSMEs with a 4% sub-target for SC/ST entrepreneurs such provisions are not compulsory in major public works contracts.
Calling it more than an administrative lapse, Gandhi alleged that the absence of accountability reflects a deliberate policy gap that undermines social and economic equity. He questioned why Bahujan entrepreneurs continue to be sidelined from the country’s most lucrative government projects.
The queries were originally raised in the Lok Sabha on April 2, where Gandhi asked for year-wise data on contracts awarded by the Central Public Works Department and under urban infrastructure schemes over the past five years. He also sought details on whether the government met its SC/ST procurement targets and if there were plans to introduce similar provisions for OBC owned enterprises.
Responding on behalf of the government, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu stated that there is currently no mechanism to track contracts awarded to SC, ST, or OBC-owned businesses. He clarified that since these fall under “works contracts,” maintaining such data is not mandatory.
The exchange has intensified the political debate over inclusivity in public spending and raised fresh concerns about equitable access to government opportunities.
