In a jibe at the Congress and other Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday came out with a tongue-in-cheek comment by mentioning that it could be perhaps the first time ever since he took over as PM in 2014 that there has been no attempt from abroad to destabilise our legislative functions before the start of a Parliament session.
“This is the first session I am seeing in the last 10 years in which there has been no attempt to stoke a fire from any foreign corner,” the prime minister said briefing the media before the start of the Budget session.
The PM also took a swipe at Opposition parties, saying that there were people abroad ready to do mischief before every session since 2014 and there was also no dearth of those here who would fuel such attempts.
Modi was referring to the protests by Opposition parties, including the Congress in previous Parliament sessions over revelations made by now-disbanded US-based short seller Hindenburg Research on alleged stock manipulation and tax evasion by the Gautam Adani group.
With Modi-led NDA’s third term to bring in its first full-fledged budget on Saturday, the PM said he prayed that Goddess Lakshmi, who is associated with wealth, will bless the poor and middle class. He expressed confidence that this Budget session will infuse new confidence and energy in attaining the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
The prime minister also hinted new initiatives for the poor and middle class as well as women, he also said a mechanism has been designed for the participation of younger Parliamentarians in further nurturing the ‘Viksit Bharat’. “Especially for young MPs, it is a golden opportunity, because the more awareness and participation... In the House today, the more fruits of a developed India they will see before their eyes. And therefore, this is a priceless opportunity for the young MPs,” Modi said.
Ahead of the tabling of the Economic Survey, the PM said his government has been working in mission mode in its third term for an all-round development and asserted that innovation, inclusion and investment have shaped its economic agenda. Modi also shared that several historic bills will be taken up during the Session and will become laws after comprehensive debate to strengthen the country.
“Particularly, important decisions will be taken during the Session to empower women to ensure they get equal rights and any sectarian or faith-based discrimination is removed,” he said. Modi also expressed confidence that every MP, especially the young ones, will contribute to the agenda of ‘Viksit Bharat’ during the session.
Stressing on the mantra of ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’, Modi said fast-paced development has to be achieved and the maximum emphasis is on reform. He said the state and Central governments have to perform together and one can see transformation through public participation.
“Ours is a young country... The youth of 20-25 years of age today, when they will be 45-50 years-old, they will be the biggest beneficiaries of a developed India. At that stage of their age, they will be sitting in that place in the policy making system... They will proudly move forward with a developed India,” said the PM.
“Those who had joined the freedom struggle in 1930, 1942... The entire youth generation of the country was engrossed in the freedom struggle, and the fruits of that were reaped by the generation that came after 25 years,” Modi said.
Similarly, these 25 years would be marked by the intention of people to achieve a prosperous and developed India through their resolve and reach the pinnacle through their achievements, he said.
