Govt can't fix economy as it does not acknowledge 'slowdown': Manmohan Singh

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday attacked the Centre over the state of the economy, saying the Narendra Modi government does not even acknowledge the word "slowdown".

Dr Singh, credited with the liberalisation of the economy in the 1990s, said the real danger is that if problems are not recognised, then finding credible answers to take corrective action is unlikely.

"I think these issues will be debated and should be debated because we have today a government that does not acknowledge that there is such a word as slowdown. I think this is not good for our country," the former prime minister said.

"If you do not recognise the problems that you face, you are not likely to find credible answers to take corrective action. That is the real danger," Singh said.

He was addressing a gathering at the launch of Montek Singh Ahluwalia's book "Backstage" when he made the remarks. 

Praising Ahluwalia for his book, Singh said the former planning commission deputy chairman has written about the good as well as the weak points of the UPA government.

Manmohan Singh was the head of the government as Congress-led UPA ruled the country from 2004-14. 

The book will be of great help to the future growth of the country, he added. 

"Montek has also pointed out that contrary to what the ruling group may say, today the US $5 trillion economy by 2024-25 is wishful thinking. Also, there is no reason to expect that farmers income will be doubled in a three- year period," he said.

The Rajya Sabha MP also hailed the role played by former prime minister Narasimha Rao, P Chidambaram and Ahluwalia for supporting him in carrying out reforms in the 90s despite resistance from different quarters.

India's economic growth is estimated to grow to 4.6% in 2019-20 and most predictions say it will pick up to 5.6% in the next fiscal.