Modi government not doing enough for poor: Opposition

Opposition parties on Monday criticised the Narendra Modi government for allegedly ignoring the poor and weaker sections of the society, saying its promise of inclusive development was hollow.

Resuming the debate in the Rajya Sabha on the presidential address to the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha before the budget session, which began on January 31, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said the address had "nothing new in it".

He said the Prime Minister is a busy person and "should be informed about ground realities".

"I myself have worked with a prime minister and I know he is a busy man. He is to be informed properly about whatever is happening in the country," he said.

Shukla said that farmers, labourers and other weaker sections of the society were suffering under Modi's rule.

Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal (United) also slammed the government for its demonetisation move, saying lakhs of farmers had suffered because of it.

He demanded that the government must inform the nation how much unaccounted money was recovered by the move.

Yadav also drew the government's attention to the "dangerous situation" in Jammu and Kashmir and said that the government must talk to all concerned to ensure peace in the Valley.

He said social disparity was a cause of concern and it must be addressed "before it's too late".

"Unless and until poor, farmers, SCs, STs and other backward classes are given their dues, the country cannot progress", he said.

Sitaram Yechuri of the CPI-M echoed Yadav's views.

"Demonetisation has violated basic human rights of the citizens, he said.

He also said the Modi government was against the interests of the SCs, STs and poor.

He asked the government to put a ceiling on spending by political parties and recommended a state-funding system for them.

--IANS

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