Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the Congress during his speech in Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied in Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on January 31 that marked the opening of the Budget session. Despite stiff opposition from political parties, the government had advanced the presentation of the union budget to February 1, saying it would ensure that important policy changes were implemented by April 1 when the new fiscal year begins. The Prime Minister, at the beginning of his speech, said, "The earthquake finally took place - Earth (Dharti Ma) was likely angered". The comments, made hours after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Uttarakhand with strong tremors in Delhi and other areas in the north, was seen as a swipe at Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi who, months ago, had warned that "an earthquake would happen" if he spoke in Parliament while leading the opposition's attack on the government over demonetisation.
Here are the highlights of PM Narendra Modi's speech in Lok Sabha:- I thank you all.. everyone in the opposition...
- Various members of the House added vigour into the debate & shared insightful points. I thank the MPs for their participation
- Yesterday there was an earthquake in Uttarakhand... the Centre will fully co-operate with the state. Some teams have already reached there..
- This earthquake was bound to happen.
- How can someone see 'SEVA' or any positive virtue in the word 'SCAM'
- There is something very special about 'Jan Shakti'
- It is due to this 'Jan Shakti' that the person born to a poor family can become the Prime Minister of India
- There are many people like me, who could not die for the nation during the freedom struggle but we are living for India & serving India
- Somewhere on the way, 'Jan Shakti' was forgotten. We do not accept this.
- Let us understand & appreciate the inherent strength of our people & take India to newer heights. Faith in Jan Shakti will give results
- I had said it from the Red Fort- every Prime Minister has contributed to the nation
- I was surprised that there were some who made cleanliness also a political issue. Why can't we work together on ushering a Swachh Bharat
- When Rail budget was first presented, the transport sector was different. Now things are different & a more comprehensive look is needed
- From Day 1, we have been clear- we are ready for a discussion on demonetisation but some were more keen on TV bytes & not debates
- It does not matter how big you are, you will have to give back what belongs to the poor. My fight is for the poor
- My fight is for the poor and giving the poor their due. This fight will continue.
- We do not see everything from the prism of elections. The interests of the nation are supreme for us.
- When can you have an operation? When the body is healthy. The economy was doing well and thus our decision was taken at the right time
- Every single thing on demonetization has been recorded. Everything is available to tax officials at their fingertips... it has cleansed India; and has ended the shadow economy.
- Like Swachh Bharat, the decision on demonetisation is a movement to clean India (from corruption and black money)
- Steps against black money were not sudden. The Supreme Court warned of large amounts of black money stashed abroad.
- Successive government slept over black money law introduced in 1988
- The very first day in Parliament after we came to power, we did what the Supreme Court had said, formulate the SIT.
- This requires a lot of work. I have no doubt that had these measures helped in gaining votes, then you would have been the first to initiate this.
- What reason do you have to make 1035 changes to a popular scheme like MNREGA
- During your time, only 69 km roads were built per day under Pradhan Mantri gram sadak yojana. In a matter of few years, we have successfully been making 110 km per day, and with the use of space technology.
- We have been successful in providing 21,000 crore; this has helped us save Rs 11000 crore in electricity bills
- It is time to think about having Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections together; I know everybody will face some problems
- Why was it that there were crop insurance schemes earlier but farmers were not keen to avail the benefits
- Budget 2017 is benefiting 96% of the population
- I was astonished to see statements made by some politicians on the surgical strikes. It was disturbing.
- I was astonished to see statements made by some politicians on the surgical strikes. It was very disturbing and deeply saddening. They had to change their stand after gauging the mood of the nation.
- Now, middlemen no longer enjoy the benefits they did after we stopped the corruption
- Our government is committed in its fight against corruption; with the help of technology and Aadhar card we are able to seize 4 crore fake ration cards