Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong pitch to dispel the “myth” around NDA Government’s land Acquisition Bill and “misinformation” on cutting down of beneficiaries under Food Security Act.
In a hour-long reply to the debate on Motion of Thanks on President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha, Modi countered all allegations and accusations hurled at his Government during the 14-hour-long debate.
Claiming that the existing land Acquisition Act had certain shortcomings which needed to be rectified through amendments, Modi assured the House that his Government was willing to make changes in the proposed Act if it had any anti-farmer provision.
“But please do not spread misinformation with regard to compensation as no one has touched that part,” Modi said. He also explained that State Governments were facing problems in implementing the land Acquisition Act brought by the UPA Government and cited examples of then Congress ruled Haryana and Maharashtra Governments which expressed problems with the Bill.
On black money, the PM said his Government has walked the talk and made efforts to curb outflow of black money by signing Memorandum of Understanding with other countries and bringing a new law in this regard. While countering Opposition’s allegation that the Government has done nothing on it, Modi attacked the UPA Government for having sitting on the Supreme Court order to form a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to “save someone.”
“Threats do not work in a democracy. I used to be threatened to be sent to jail on a daily basis in the fourteen years when I was in Gujarat. I do not want to go on this track because people have given me mandate for a different purpose. This nation did not bend during the Emergency. What has not been said should not be put in people’s mouth,” Modi said, responding to Congress member Anand Sharma’s speech. Sharma had alleged Modi had threatened in his speeches to pack off people in jail in context of black money.
Modi also rebutted allegations that his Government has rehashed old UPA policies. In fact, PM listed Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA Govern-ment’s programme that UPA Government had renamed.
He also countered allegations that his Government’s policies were pro-corporate.
“I am only trying to give quality of life to the poor. Is Swachchhata Abhiyaan for corporateIJ When we build toilets in schools, is this for corporatesIJ Is Jan Dhan Yojna for corporateIJ Is soil health cards for corporatesIJ Can we not provide basic cleanliness facilities to people,” Modi countered.
On country’s Foreign Policy, PM said: “Hum aankh jhuka kar jeena pasand nahi karte aur aankh dikha kar bhi rishtey nahi banatey. Hum aankh mila kar chalna chatey hai.” (We do not like to be either submissive or agreesive. We wish to be equal parteners).
Targeted for removing of top bureaucrats, Modi reminded leader of House Ghulam Nabi Azad of his Government’s term. “Do we remember what happened in 2004IJ In 2004, the Cabinet Secretary was removed, Foreign Secretary was made without regarding seniority. You insulted Governors and removed them,” Modi said.
Taking a dig at left parties, Modi said, “Those with an imported ideology got to serve in West Bengal for 30 years. What happened thereIJ”