Pakodanomics

Pakodanomics refers to the economic policies instituted in India to encourage self employment and entrepreneurship. This expression originated during an exclusive interview by Zee News of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, with regards to answering the queries in relation to game changing economic reforms.

Quotes

Pakodas

• If someone opens a 'pakoda' shop in front of your office, does that not count at employment? The person's daily earning of Rs 200 will never come into any books or accounts. The truth is massive people are being employed.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi (BJP), as quoted in "Top 10 highlights of PM Narendra Modi's exclusive interview with Zee News". Zee News. 19 January 2018. 

• It is better to be a labourer or sell 'pakodas' than to be unemployed. There is no shame in selling 'pakodas'.
  • Amit Shah (BJP), as quoted in "Better to sell pakodas than be unemployed: Amit Shah says in maiden Rajya Sabha speech". The Times of India. 05 February 2018. 

• In the West, the term 'gig economy' is now a fashionable one to discuss self-employed people like web designers, copywriters and software engineers who work independently for several companies or clients at once. I would say pakoda-sellers, plumbers, carpenters and even snake-charmers have been part of India's gig economy long before the term became fashionable.
  • Madhavan Narayanan, columnist, as quoted in "Opinion: It is time India took a serious look at Pakodanomics". Wion. 09 Feb 2018. 

• My search for a job ended when I watched Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interview on a private television channel wherein he mentioned about opening a 'pakoda' joint. I was extremely delighted over the suggestion and felt that I can not only earn for my family but also give a job to others.
  • Ashwin Mishra, a resident of Amethi, in a letter to MP Smriti Irani (BJP), as quoted in "Help me start 'pakoda' stall in Amethi: Jobless youth writes to Smriti Irani". Deccan Chronicle. 14 February 2018. 

• The Centre and Haryana governments had promised to create large number of jobs for the unemployed. But now they are assuring 'pakoda jobs' to millions of people looking for work. For BJP leaders, even people earning Rs 200 a day selling 'pakodas' can be considered employed, which is a cruel joke.
  • Karan Singh Dalal (INC), as quoted in "Latest in Pakodanomics: Haryana CM buys pakodas sold by protesting Congress MLAs". Moneycontrol. 07 March 2018. 

• Two members of National Statistical Commission (NSC) resigned. They don't want to bring the data forward. In other countries we have heard people being encountered, but in our country data is being encountered. The rate of unemployment in the country has increased. This is a result of Modiji's pakodanomics.
  • Kapil Sibal (INC), as quoted in "Unemployment on the rise due to Modi's 'pakodanomics': Kapil Sibal". The Asian Age. 31 January 2019. 

• Two words were missing in this Budget speech - education and jobs. In the 10-point vision document there is nothing about education. Apparently, no one in this government has read the ASER report. Also, there is nothing about jobs because if they say anything about jobs, the young people of this country will dismiss it as 'Pakodanomics'. The only thing this government know about jobs is 'Pakodanomics'.
  • P. Chidambaram (INC), as quoted in "The only thing this government knows about jobs is 'Pakodanomics': Chidambaram". Business Standard. 1 Feb 2019. 

• Why does our PM want India’s jobless youth to sell pakodas. If crores of jobless youths start frying pakodas (fritters), who will eat them?.
  • Tejashwi Yadav (RJD, as quoted in "Is selling ‘pakodas’ a job, asks Tejashwi Prasad Yadav". The Times of India. 6 April 2019. 

• Modinomics started in 2014 and turned into Pakodanomics. That means if you want low profile jobs, only then you vote for the BJP.
  • Abhishek Singhvi (INC), as quoted in "Congress calls Modi regime 'govt of acronyms', dubs it Non Performing Liability". Deccan Chronicle. 18 April 2019. 

• A commercial LPG cylinder will cost Rs 2,118 with a hike of Rs 350 per cylinder. Now, even frying Pakodas will be difficult for educated unemployed youths.
  • Yuri Alemao (INC) on the rising fuel prices, "Even frying ‘pakodas’ will now be difficult: Goa Opp leader on LPG price hike". The Telegraph (India). 01 March 2023.