Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday lashed out at the Congress for its criticism over the Modi-government bringing ordinances by which the tenure of CBI and Enforcement directors could be further extended, saying it would further dilute the credibility of the opposition party which is losing its political base across the country.
The Congress has attacked the Centre over its move to issue the ordinances, saying the government has used the two agencies as "henchmen" who are now being rewarded so that "malicious prosecution" is used to silence dissenting voices.
"Isi tarah ke aaropon ke mantar ne Congress ko choomantar kar diya hai (Due to its mantra of making such accusations, Congress is disappearing)," the Minority Affairs Minister told reporters at an event here when asked about the Congress' attack.
"Those who do such negative and destructive politics only harm themselves," he said.
The tenure of the directors of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate can now be extended by up to three years after the mandated term of two years, according to two ordinances brought in by the government on Sunday. Attacking the Congress, Naqvi said those who hurl accusations should have at least some positivity.
Earlier, inaugurating ‘Hunar Hat’ here at ‘Pragati Maidan’, the Union Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'vocal for local' mantra has proved to be an effective mechanism for strengthening the economy and the vision of self-reliance. Naqvi said that during the Covid crisis, indigenous production capacity fulfilled domestic needs and became the "safety cover" for the Indian economy.
The minister said the country, which used to depend on foreign imports even for food grains, has now not only become self-reliant in food grains production but is also exporting food grains to the entire world.
India's self-reliance in food grains production is a result of hardwork of our "Annadatas" (food providers) and the Modi government's efforts to ensure "Aatmanirbhar Krishi Aur Krishak (self-reliant agriculture and farmer)", he said.
“India has become a major hub of the pharmacy sector, within a year of the Covid pandemic, the country made the entire world realise its capability and strength in indigenous production by developing "Made in India" Covid vaccine, various medical equipment and other indigenous life-saving medicines to ensure the health and well-being of the people, said Naqvi.
India's traditional and ancestral legacy of handloom-handicraft has been promoted by Prime Minister Modi's mantra of 'vocal for local' and "Swadeshi", he said.
The 'Hunar Haat' has not only made the artisans and craftsmen self-reliant, it has also strengthened the commitment to "Aatmanirbhar Bharat", he said.The 'Hunar Haat' at Pragati Maidaan is the 33rd in a series of such exhibitions across the country.
More than 550 artisans and craftsmen from over 30 states and union territories are participating in the "Hunar Haat", being organized at Hall No 3, Pragati Maidan from November 14-27 this year.