On October 21, 2026, the Congress party launched a strong attack against the Modi government over alleged severe lapses in the implementation of the PM-DAKSH scheme. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the central government of failing to provide promised skill training to marginalised communities across India. Speaking from New Delhi, he claimed that the administration relies heavily on self-promotion while delivering zero actual results on the ground. He further suggested that the ruling government has lost public confidence and its tenure in office is drawing to a close.

What Happened?

Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, cited recent reports highlighting major flaws in the Pradhan Mantri Dakshata aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) initiative. The scheme was originally designed to impart technical and professional skill training to eligible individuals from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Backward Classes, Nomadic Tribes, and sanitation workers. However, Ramesh pointed out that recent findings reveal serious operational failures and a complete lack of proper implementation over the past two years.

Taking a direct swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ramesh stated that the scheme carries a big name but delivers minimal substance on the ground. He highlighted that substantial funds allocated for the initiative in previous years remained entirely unutilised, turning a promising national welfare project into nothing more than official paperwork. The opposition party argued that a government unable to manage an initiative bearing the Prime Minister's own name has lost the moral authority to govern.

The Congress party also questioned whether the ruling administration was deliberately neglecting vulnerable groups following the 2024 general elections, where the party was reduced to 240 seats in Parliament. Ramesh emphasized that millions of young citizens belonging to Gen-Z are facing uncertainty due to poor policy execution and lack of support. He declared that the government's expiry date is near and the time has come for the current leadership to step down.

Key Highlights

Congress accused the Modi government of serious lapses in executing the PM-DAKSH skill scheme.
Jairam Ramesh stated that allocated budgets for the initiative remained unspent over the last two years.
The scheme was meant to provide job skills to Scheduled Castes, OBCs, and sanitation workers.
The opposition claimed the government prioritises grand advertisements over actual service delivery.
Ramesh criticized the administration for playing with the future of India's Gen-Z youth seeking jobs.
Congress asserted that the government has lost moral authority and that its expiry date is near.
The party questioned if welfare lapses were related to the government's reduced seats in 2024.

Why Does This Matter?

Skill training programs like PM-DAKSH are crucial for uplifting marginalized communities and expanding youth employment across the nation. When such essential welfare initiatives suffer from mismanagement or underutilised funds, vulnerable citizens miss out on valuable job opportunities and financial security. This directly affects millions of families relying on public programs to build sustainable livelihoods in a challenging economic environment.

Furthermore, strong public scrutiny ensures that government welfare promises translate into real benefits for everyday citizens. Highlighting execution failures helps voters assess the actual performance of the administration versus its public claims. Maintaining transparency in public schemes is essential for protecting taxpayer money and securing a better future for the country's young workforce.