Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while responding to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha, criticized previous Congress governments for their misplaced priorities. He highlighted that leaders like Nehru and Indira Gandhi viewed the people as problems, leading to citizen-unfriendly policies by the Planning Commission. PM Modi referenced Indira Gandhi’s speeches to illustrate the disconnect between the Planning Commission’s policies and the needs of people in hill states.
Indira Gandhi’s statements revealed the challenges she faced in advocating for separate plans for hill areas, emphasizing the rigidity of the Planning Commission’s policies. She recounted instances where the Commission prioritized jeeps over mules for transportation despite the lack of roads, showcasing the lack of flexibility in decision-making. PM Modi used these examples to underscore the NDA government’s decision to disband the Planning Commission due to its policy paralysis and red tape.
Drawing from Indira Gandhi’s experiences, PM Modi criticized the Congress governments for neglecting public welfare and perpetuating a bureaucratic mindset. He contrasted his administration’s approach, focusing on empowerment and opportunities for the 140 crore citizens of India. PM Modi emphasized the importance of viewing the population as a source of solutions rather than problems, highlighting a fundamental difference in perspective between his government and the Congress.
