Modi govt happy to listen & respond to criticism: FM

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 2

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said the BJP Government listened to criticism and responded and it was not in the DNA of this dispensation to run away from questions.

Replying to a debate in Lok Sabha on a Bill replacing corporate tax ordinance which seeks to lower the tax rates on fresh investments, a ballistic Sitharaman was responding in the wake of industrialist Rahul Bajaj’s recent remarks that there was atmosphere of fear and people were afraid to speak out.

“I have been called names…People have said to my face that I am the worst FM the country. They have said this without even waiting for six months. If there is a PM, if there are ministers who listen, it is PM Narendra Modi and his ministers. We would rather like to hear and respond… we are happy to hear what industry leaders say,” Sitharaman said referring to Home Minister Amit Shah’s response to Bajaj that the government was open to criticism and willing to improve.

The FM was responding to heat over sluggish economy and low GDP numbers which former PM Manmohan Singh called unacceptable.

Sitharaman took jibes at the Congress saying it was in the DNA of other parties to shoot questions and scoot. “If it is in anyone’s DNA to ask questions and run away before answers are given, it is some other party and not our party. Each time we come to give replies instead of name-calling,” she said.