NEW DELHI, Apr 27:
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge today attacked the Modi Government for ignoring the needs of the ‘all important’ Home Ministry by effecting heavy cuts in its budget, and also targeted Minister Rajnath Singh for failing to curb anti-national and anti-social elements who were inciting communal passions by their inflammatory speeches. The Home Minister also faced criticism by Mr Kharge for stating earlier in the day that the news of the disaster caused by Saturday’s earthquake first reached the Prime Minister and he came to know only later, with the Congress leader saying that as a Home Minister, he should have bee the first to be informed of any disaster in the country.
Mr Kharge said the armed police forces badly need modernisation but despite this, the budget had cut allocations to its various departments which would badly affect its working.
This is a key ministry as it is entrusted with the task of maintaining law and order and peace which was crucial for the growth, attracting investment and overall development of the Ministry.
Underscoring the challenges to the internal security of the country posed by the Left Wing extremism, he said the Home Minister should tell how he was going to tackle the menace.
”You always speak of what was not done in the last 65 years. If we had not done anything, democracy would not have survived,” he said amidst the remarks from the Treasury benches reminding him of the Emergency days. Suggesting lack of coordination and communication between his Department and the Government, Mr Kharge said he hoped that the Home Minister was trying to do things but the problem was ”either your message is not reaching them or they do not want to hear you.”
Mr Kharge also cautioned the Government against leaving all funds and responsibilities in the hands of the states saying this might lead to diversion of funds for other purposes. Referring to the objectionable comments made by Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and ruling party MP Sakshi Maharaj against minorities and recent attacks on churches, and the ”ghar wapsi” programme, the Congress leader slammed the Home Ministry for what he called its failure to rein in such elements. His statement that ”you are both garlanding Mahatma Gandhi and saluting Godse at the same time” evoked protest from BJP Member Nishikant Dubey, who said it was an unparliamentary remark, but Mr Kharge dismissed his objection and continued. He also attacked the government over release of ”anti-nationals” in Kashmir. Mr Kharge took a jibe at the PMO while attacking the Home Minister for not being informed first about Saturday’s quake.
He wondered why this should happen,” when the intelligence is yours.” ”Is there any lack of coordination. Are there instructions to inform the PM first. Is there any lack of communication. Why is it happening? If a secretary in the PMO is running all departments, then there is no need for a Minister,” Mr Kharge said evoking furious reactions from the treasury benches. However, the Home Minister sat calm and composed all through Mr Kharge’s speech.
BJP Member Hukum Singh stressed that there was a need to secure borders of the country.
He underlined that there was a need to boost the morale of security personnel as well. The BJP Member questioned that there is always a talk about Human Rights when a terrorist is killed in the country but why is there no talk of it when a security personnel is martyred.
He also expressed concern over the existing law and order situation in the National Capital.
In an indirect reference to the recent incident of a farmer’s suicide in AAP’s rally against Land Bill, Mr Singh said doing politics on the recent incident is a matter of concern.
AITC Member Saugata Roy accused the Centre of major failure on the front of left wing extremism.
” I urge Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to adopt carrot and stick approach in controlling Maoists in Chhattisgarh,” Prof Roy said. Failure in stopping of infiltration in the country is another problem of the union government, he said.
He said the Home Ministry should specify the steps taken for women’s safety.
Baijayant Panda(BJD) raised issues of left wing extremism, police modernisation and disaster management expressing satisfaction over declining trend in incidents of ‘red menace’ in four states and concern over lack of due allocations for modernisation of forces in his state of Odisha.
Vinayak Bhaurao Raut(Shiv Sena) said that situation at the internal security front is not as good as it is desired and infiltration and other trans border crimes are a matter of concern. Mr Raut said Kashmir problem is another complicated issue that needed sensitive and sensible addressing.
He said mere resettlement of Kashmiri Pundits in valley is not enough but recovery of their lost houses and properties from the possession of the miscreants is equally important. His references for abolition of article 370 in respect of the bordering state and some ‘pro Hindu’ comments evoked sharp protests from the Opposition benches. (PTI)
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