Both public, private sectors important for growth: Modi

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today talked of taking India forward in the post-Corona period through self-reliance. Accusing “andolanjeevis” of exploiting the “pavitra andolan” (sacred agitation) of farmers, he mocked the Congress for being a “divided and confused house”. He slammed the Opposition for “planning strategic disruptions” and urged agitating farmers to come forward for discussions.

Referring to the criticism of “corporate” takeover, he said: “If public sector is important for the country, so is the private sector as wealth creators are important for wealth to be distributed.”

He said the government and Parliament had great respect for those voicing views on the three farm laws, which was why topmost ministers had been talking to them. Allaying apprehensions, he said neither any ‘mandi’ had shut down nor had the MSP stopped, rather the MSP had been increased.

Amid protests by Opposition MPs, the PM said the laws were important for the nation’s progress. “No one asked for laws against dowry, triple talaq… but these laws were enacted because these were progressive,” he said.

“It cannot be status quo anymore,” he said, pointing to the increasing number of landless labourers and agriculture becoming unremunerative. “This is disturbing because it means that there is not adequate investment in the sector. Farmers also need to diversify towards more paying crops,” he said.

Defending the three farm laws, the PM said they had been enacted in line with the need of the time to meet new challenges in the agriculture sector. “Countries are not run on status quo and leaders will have to take responsibility for desired change,” he said, speaking in the Lok Sabha during the motion of thanks on the President’s address amid disruptions by Opposition MPs.

The PM said differentiation would have to be made between “andolankaaris” and “andolanjeevis”. “Kisan andolan is “pavitra” (sacred/pure) but when ‘andolanjeevis’ use it to further their interest, showcase photos of those jailed for serious offences like terrorism, does it serve any purpose? Not allowing toll plazas to function….destroying thousands of telecom towers in Punjab, is it ‘pavitra bhavna’,” he said.

The PM said India has to be “atmanirbhar” to cement its place in the post-Corona period. “The credit for dealing with the fear of unknown goes to the discipline of 130 crore Indians. India not only overcame the crisis to become self-reliant but also helped other countries,” he said. Taking a swipe at Congress’ Punjab MP Manish Tewari who had attributed India’s tapering figures to “God’s grace”, the PM said he agreed with the observation. “It is because India’s frontline healthworkers, doctors and nurses, ‘safai karamcharis’ and ambulance drivers saved us,” he said.

The PM said those disrupting the House were doing so “as per a well-planned strategy as they are unable to digest that people can see the truth”. Taking a dig at the Congress, he said “the condition of the party had now become such that its Rajya Sabha unit moved in one direction while the Lok Sabha unit moved in the other”. “Nothing can be more unfortunate than this. The Congress is also there in the Rajya Sabha, their senior leaders debate with enthusiasm. On the other hand, there is the other section of the Congress (in LS),” the PM said as the Congress staged a walkout along with the TMC while he was speaking.