Goyal Defends India's 7.8% GDP Growth, Hits Back at Data Critics

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has defended India's reported 7.8 per cent GDP growth figures amid criticism over their accuracy. He clarified that ministers are not responsible for manufacturing economic data, distancing the government from direct involvement in its compilation. Goyal took a sharp dig at critics, suggesting they are 'the only jobless people left' in the country. He also advised detractors to make fair comparisons when evaluating the figures, using the phrase 'compare apples with apples'. His remarks came in response to ongoing scrutiny of India's GDP growth statistics.