CHANDIGARH, Sept 11:
Attacking Congress for disrupting Lok Sabha proceedings in the Monsoon session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said 40 MPs are “conspiring” and “playing” with democracy by “blocking” parliamentary process.
“MPs are sent by the people who elect them to Parliament. However, 40 MPs have conspired against the principles of democracy and playing with it against the wishes of people which is an insult to their representatives,” Modi said here addressing a gathering after handing over keys and papers to 10 allottees under the ‘General Self Financing Housing Scheme’ of Chandigarh Housing Board.
“Why are some people doing this (blocking the proceedings of Parliament), just for their arrogance. There can be nothing more unfortunate than this,” he said.
What 40 people are doing in Parliament is not in the spirit of democracy and Parliament has to function, he said.
Virtually throwing a challenge to the Congress, he said, “Beyond the Lok Sabha is Jan Sabha (Peoples’ Parliament) and that is why I am expressing my views here, in front of you (the gathering).”
After a gap of 30 years people have given a huge mandate to one party at the Centre, he said, adding, “people will not forgive some of the political parties for their conduct in Parliament.”
“Ideals of democracy were not respected,” he said while targeting Congress.
On the vexed issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP) for ex-servicemen, Modi said that the previous UPA Government allocated only Rs 500 crore for the scheme, but when his government looked into this matter, it was realised that the amount required was Rs 10,000 crore.
“I have said that we will work on OROP and work began right from the time we assumed office. We spoke to stakeholders,” he said.
Disapproving the agitation on OROP by some veterans after announcement of the scheme, he said, “Some people have been gripped by the disease known as agitation just for vested interests.”
In his address, Modi said that his dream was by 2022 poorest of poor have their own homes to stay.
He said, “I know it is a difficult task since what has not been done in 60 years is expected to be completed in the next seven years (2022).”
“It is the demand of time (that each poor has his own house),” he said.
Batting for digital India, he said that “everyone must come together to fulfil this dream.”
Referring to launch of ‘Smart mobile App’ and a ‘citizen-friendly website’ on the occasion, Modi said that “such intiatives will empower the common man.”
“Now common man can ask about his work from the government and seek reply on delay as well,” he said referring to the initiative of developing Smart mobile App and website by the Chandigarh administration.
Referring to inauguration of new state-of-the-art air terminal at Chandigarh airport, Modi said this would help in economic development of the region comprising Punjab, Haryana, Uttrakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.
Seeking to play down controversy to which state the airport belongs, Modi said that “I am happy that Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh are here together, discussing opportunities for development which is indeed wonderful.
Touching the issue of Smart city project, under which Chandigarh is also listed, Modi said that every citizen must take up responsibility and contribute in developing the city.
Among those who spoke on the occasion were Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar. (PTI)
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