BATHINDA, Nov 25:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said Pakistan was yet to recover from the setback of surgical strikes and was damaging itself by fighting against India.
“Earlier, soldiers were unable to show their valor despite having the strength. But now Pakistan has seen strength of our brave soldiers after they carried out surgical strikes in 250-km area across the LoC,” Modi said while addressing a public rally, here.
He said there were tremors across the border after these strikes and they have not yet settled.
Reaching out to Pakistani public, Modi said, “125 crore Indians eyes were wet with tears after killing of school kids in Peshawar. Every Indian felt the pain of Pakistani.”
Reiterating that Pakistani public should ask their rulers that fight should be against black money and corruption rather than fighting any country, Modi said, “By fighting against India they (Pakistan) are damaging themselves and killing innocents also.”
“Pakistani people also want freedom from poverty. For the sake of political benefits this atmosphere has been created by them,” he added.
Modi was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of AIIMS in Bathinda.
Modi said the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers that rightfully belong to India will be stopped from going waste in Pakistan and he will ensure that farmers here utilise it.
“Indus Water Treaty- Sutlej, Beas, Ravi – the waters in these rivers belong to India and our farmers. It is not being used in the fields of Pakistan but flowing into the sea through Pakistan.
“Now every drop of this water will be stopped and I will give that to farmers of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir and Indian farmers.I am committed to this,” he said.
He said a task force has been constituted to ensure that “each drop of water” that flows out of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi reaches Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
“There is no reason that we cannot use our rights (over our waters) and let our farmers suffer,” he said, adding, “I need your blessings in order to fulfill your requirements for watering your fields.”
The solution for the problems of water could be found out through common dialogue, he said.
Criticising the previous Governments at the Centre, Modi said, “Waters kept flowing to Pakistan, but successive governments kept sleeping on this issue and my farmer kept crying for the want of water.”
“If Punjab farmers get sufficient amount of water, they could produce ‘gold’ from the soil and could fill the coffers of the country,” he said.
“Our Government is committed to work in tandem with the Badal Government in Punjab to get farmers their rights and address their concerns,” he said.
Pushing for mobile banking to deal with problems arising out of demonetisation, Modi asked the people to let their mobile phones serve as a bank branch to deal with corruption and black money.
He said the number of mobiles is four times the number of families and people should use their mobiles to make payments.
“You can download mobile applications provided by banks on your phones and I want to urge political leaders, teachers, youth to give training to people on mobile banking,” he said.
Modi said demonetisation is a step to give poor people their rights.
“You know because of corruption, black money, the middle class had been exploited and poor people were devoid of their rights. I want to stop it and give poor people their due rights,” he said adding, “the trade of black money is eating into the country like termite.”
Earlier, hitting out at those accusing the Government of not being prepared for demonetisation, Modi said they are actually pained that they themselves did not get time to make any preparation.
Had these people got even 72 hours, they would have lavished praise, he said a day after the opposition launched a massive attack on the Government over the issue.
Speaking at a book launch event in New Delhi, Modi said there has been little criticism of the demonetisation decision.
“But still some people are criticising saying that the Government did not make ample preparation. I think that is not the issue that the Government did not make ample preparation. I think the pain of such people is that the Government did not give a chance to make any preparation,” Modi said.
“If these people had got 72 hours to make their preparation then they would have lavished praise that there is no one like Modi,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister observed that these days the country is fighting a big battle against corruption and black money and the ordinary citizen is the “soldier” in this fight.
In the last 70 years those who have misused the laws and Constitution have mired the country in corruption, he said.
Noting that India’s name features prominently in global corruption surveys which is not something to be proud of, he said, “To hold the nation’s head high some decisions have to be taken.”
The Prime Minister’s comments come in the backdrop of opposition attack in Parliament on demonetisation with former PM Manmohan Singh saying the step was “a case of organised loot and legalised plunder” and reflected a “monumental management failure”.
Pushing for digital transactions, Modi said, “Everyone has right to use his or her money and no one stops them. It is not necessary you should have cash as one can spend using digital technology also.”
Shopping through mobile is simple just like sending a whatsapp message, he said
“We should promote use of technology in transaction to bring transparency,” he said, adding around 500 cities can do this in a short duration.
He said the Municipal corporations have collected Rs 13000 crore tax after demonetisation.
“I got details about Municipal Corporations in some cities. Earlier they used to get Rs 3000-3500 crore tax and after November 8 they have collected Rs 13000 crore tax. This money will be used for development like construction of roads and electricity supply,” the Prime Minister said.
Speaking at the release of two books – ‘Updated Edition of Constitution of India’ and ‘Making of the Constitution’, Modi said it is important to be connected with the “spirit of the Constitution” rather then just being aware of its various articles.
The Prime Minister also emphasised on the importance of the younger generation having a “connect” with the Constitution and its ideals.
He said when the Constitution is read again, it is in the present context and a “progressive unfoldment” takes place. (PTI)
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