Mere Rs 50k-crore package for Bihar was not enough, says PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during laying of the foundation stone of four-lane Patna-Buxar road at Koilwar near Ara on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI)
Ara: During his third visit to Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi generated a mixed response by announcing a special development package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore with an additional package of Rs 40,000 crore for infrastructure development which also includes some of the state government’s unused funds.
“After much assessment and analysis I felt that mere Rs 50,000 crore package as promised by me during Lok Sabha election campaign for Bihar was not enough so I am announcing a package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for the development of Bihar. I strongly believe that if we want to develop our nation we must develop our eastern states,” PM said during his speech at Ara in Bhojpur district after he laid a foundation stone for the four-lane link road between Patna and Buxar apart from inaugurating 11 other road projects and 22 skill development projects.
While BJP leaders applauded and thanked Mr Modi, JD(U) and its allies indicated that they were not amused by the announcement. Indicating another bout of political battle Chief Minister Nitish Kumar without wasting much time tweeted, “while I wait to hear details of the so-called package announced by Modiji, I emphasize that special assistance is our right and not a favor”.(sic). We are not ready to leave their demand for special status, he clarified.
What instigated Nitish Kumar was Mr Modi’s dig at him over BIMARU issue, targeting Mr Kumar on the issue PM had said “when I called Bihar a BIMARU state our Bihar CM got angry and criticized me and said that the state was pulled out of the situation long ago, I welcome his statement but if that is correct then why he keeps asking for assistance from the Center”. Mr Modi attacked Nitish Kumar for not utilising the Center’s fund which was granted to the state earlier.
Package may go orop way, says Rahul: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday made light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a Rs 1.25 lakh crore package for poll-bound Bihar, saying he is in the habit of giving such promises for votes and feared it would go the “One Rank One Pension” way.
The Congress V-P also said that Modi has funds for Bihar package, but when it comes to ex-servicemen, he cites shortage of money. “He has money for foreign trips, but not for our jawans.”
Hours after Modi announced the Bihar package at a rally in the state, Rahul on a two-day visit to his Lok Sabha constituency pilloried the PM and said he would not be surprised if he announces a similar package for UP before it goes to polls due in 2017. “Modi had promised OROP during Lok Sabha elections. Has the promise been fulfilled,” Rahul retorted.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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