Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday cited inclusion of several “common achievers” among the Padma awardees this year to claim it had happened for the first time, as earlier the honour would be bestowed on those doing the rounds of power corridors. He also strongly backed the advancement of the Union Budget on the ground that it will facilitate execution of more development work, even as he accused the Opposition of having no real issue against his Government.
At a meeting of BJP Parliamentary Party Executive, which was followed by another with NDA leaders, Modi said the early passage of the Union Budget would lead to early start of developmental works. Earlier these works would begin only after monsoon had ended, he said referring to the practice when the Union Budget would be tabled in February and passed in May.
The Opposition parties have slammed the decision to change the long-standing practice, alleging it was being done with an eye on the Assembly polls in five States, including the key Hindi heartland State of Uttar Pradesh.
“They have no issue against us,” he said, according to NDA sources. He also asked party leaders to ensure maximum presence of MPs during the session, except for those busy campaigning in the elections.
Referring to President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the joint sitting of two Houses of Parliament, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it outlined the Government’s “pro-poor” vision with emphasis on the work being done for the poor, Dalits and other deprived sections. He asked the leaders to take the message conveyed in the address to the masses, saying it should be their answer to all Opposition criticism.
Naidu also referred to opinion polls carried out by media groups to insist that people had a favourable view of the Government's work.
Sources said Shiv Sena sought more Governmental help for cooperative societies, while another ally TDP supported the Government's stress on digitisation and demonetisation exercise. Earlier, Naidu hoped for a comprehensive discussion in Parliament. He noted that in the last few days, the Government has held discussions with all political parties to ensure that House proceedings were not disrupted. There should be comprehensive discussion for welfare of society, Modi told reporters outside Parliament.
The Prime Minister said he has faith that all factions will come together in Parliament for welfare of society. Modi recalled that while Budgets were earlier presented at 5 in the evening, it was former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee who advanced it to morning. “Today, a new tradition will begin. First, the Budget is being advanced by nearly a month. And second, Rail Budget in being incorporated into this. There will be discussion on this also and the benefits that it will have in the coming times,” he said.