Hemant dubs hooting ‘rape of democracy’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reminded people of the benefits of a full-majority Government and maintained that Jharkhand, entering into adolescence, too needs a dispensation with a clear mandate.
Modi, while gifting the State with a number of development projects, said that Jharkhand has the potential to become the most developed State in the country and it was the responsibility of over 3.15 crore Jharkhandis to realise the dream,
Meanhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren termed the hooting he faced by a section of crowd at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's function here on Thursday as "rape of democracy", while his party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) demanded a public apology from Modi.
Addressing a huge public meeting here at Prabhat Tara ground in HEC campus, Modi told the audience that the Central Government is taking fast decisions because it’s full-majority Government and it does not have to face the pulls and pressures of a coalition Government. Chief Minister Hemant Soren who was also present on the dais had no other option than to listen to Modi’s remarks silently.
“Jharkhand will also be able to make a prominent space in the world of technology. Do you know how this Government is able to function smoothly and speedilyIJ Because people have given complete majority to the Government. That is why we are not stagnant. You understand what happens to stagnant Government. Jharkhand is now growing up,” said Modi.
“Jharkhand is passing through the most crucial phases of its age. At the age of 13-14 even sons and daughters are given special care by parents. They want true and holistic development of their wards. The age of 13-18 years is vital for a State’s life too. Now, you have to decide how will be your State when it becomes 18-year old. At this crucial age time has come for the people to think about the dreams of Jharkhand, policies of Jharkhand and the arrangement to run the schemes of Jharkhand,” Modi added.
“I give a lot of good wishes to the 3.15 crore people of Jharkhand to convert these years into development years with new dreams, new energy and enthusiasm. May you rise with same dignity and humility as you are today in the name of Birsa Munda,” the PM said.
In his first visit to Jharkhand after becoming Prime Minister, Modi, in an official ceremony, inaugurated and laid foundation of several important projects, including Ranchi-Dharmjaygarh power transmission line, North Karnpura Super Thermal Power Project, National Digital literacy Mission (NDlM), New Incubation Facility for STPI, Ranchi.
Earlier, the PM began his speech by greeting people in local Nagpuri language and said that he was overwhelmed with the love and support of the people of Jharkhand. “I will return your love and support through development with interest,” he said.
“The state, which has so much of potential to develop, is not born to remain a loser. Atal ji had made this state with a dream that this state will help the country prosper by leaps and bounds. I do not accept the present condition of Jharkhand. We have to change it by working together,” the PM said.
Talking about 392 km long transmission line he inaugurated the PM said that the project was to get rid of darkness in the country. “The transmission line will not only supply power, it will connect east with the west. It will give new energy of development to the nation. If we want to strengthen the country we have to ensure that no area of the country remains weak and underdeveloped,” the PM said.
“The dream of the government in Delhi is that the development of the nation should be balanced. Development should take place everywhere whether it is east or west, north or south,” he added.
Referring to a Union Cabinet decision of increasing mining royalty for states the PM said that the Centre has a conviction to develop states. “We can’t develop the nation by ignoring the states. Jharkhand will get Rs 400 crore every year after hike in mining royalty. And, Hemant Soren did not come to me with this request. I have come to him with the gift,” Modi said.
While inaugurating the ambitious NDlM scheme from Jharkhand the PM stressed on the need of people’s greater participation in the Digital India revolution. He said that people should come forward to take part in the digital revolution with the Central government launching projects worth lakhs and Crores.
The PM also announced that an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIT) would soon be opened in Ranchi and the government was committed to ensure gas supply to households. “The coming era is of gas based economy. We are working in the direction of setting up a Gas Grid in country for domestic use, transportation, industries and other usages. Work will begin soon to lay Jagdishpur-Phoolpur-Haldia gas pipeline that would become a major source of energy for eastern India whether it is Gorakhpur, Durgapur, Jamshedpur or Varanashi. We want to ensure domestic gas supply in each household just like water,” Modi said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Hemant Soren faced humiliation as the crowd booed him and chanted ‘Modi-Modi’ while he was addressing a public meeting with Modi, The PM instantly signaled to the crowd to maintain calm. Apparently people wanted to hear Modi and were least interested in what their Chief Minister had to say. The crowd responded to Modi’s signal obediently and hushed up.
Apart from the Chief Minister, Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal and Sudarshan Bhagat, Jharkhand Governor Dr. Syed Ahmed, former CM Arjun Munda and Ranchi MP Ram Tahal Chaudhary were present at the stage on the occasion.