Centre can't be blamed for local happenings: Naidu

In the backdrop of Dadri lynching case, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said the Centre cannot be blamed for "local happenings" and stressed that people especially the younger generation are more interested in development and not in such incidents.

The Minister also added that while several "local developments" were unfortunate and even condemnable but the local situation also has to be looked into before coming to any conclusion.

"People want development. They are not interested in other things, I am telling you. People are getting sickened.... What has happened in Dadri, who is right, who is wrong, is not an issue for the people. Whose government it isIJ Is it the local governmentIJ law and order is a state government matter. These are explanations one has to give but people are not interested," Naidu said.

The Urban Development minister said that the younger generation wanted development, good jobs, better healthcare facilities, social security and spoke about government's schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana to emphasize on Modi government's commitment to these goals.

"Other things are happening here and there. They are not because of central government. They are not because of the Prime Minister. They are local happenings. They are unfortunate. Some of them are condemnable also. But at the same time you have to understand the sensitivities, the local situation, then come to conclusions," Naidu said.

His comments come at a time when there is a massive political slugfest on after a Muslim man was killed by a mob in Dadri over rumour of eating beef.

Naidu, who was speaking at an event organised by FICCI where the ambitious Smart City project was discussed, also stressed that people's participation is vital and this is why role of industry is also crucial.

"Without people's participation you cannot make anything successful. And what is industryIJ You are private people. You are ready to do business with Pakistan, and you are not ready to do business with your own Indian industrialists," he said slamming those critical of the government.

Naidu sought to know if people criticising the government as "pro-industry" were "anti-industry".

"And then you raise slogans, Adani, Ambani hai hai.... I got so irritated, I said Adani Ambani 'aapka mehrbani hai' (Adani Ambai are your gifts). Not ours, it has been only ten months since we came," he said apparently referring to the Congress.

He said that these things were being done just to create an impression and added that people had enough of it.

Naidu, who is also the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, said the government is in the process of accelerating reforms and a number of crucial bills including GST, Negotiable Instruments, land Bill which are vital for the country are in Parliament.

 Real Eestate Bill may also come up in the next session, he said.