Even New Delhi
could see what is going on in Gujarat. On June 13, 2012, we were fortunate
enough to play hosts for the highly respectful leaders of Indian National
Congress and Ministers in the Union Cabinet, Dr. P. Chidambaram, Shri Salman
Khurshid and Smt. Ambika Soni. It was really pleasant and fruitful to interact
with them.
Their visit
gave an unexplainable boost to Gujarat Congress’s fight against the unruly
dictatorship of Chief Minister Narendra Modi that has been going on since about
a decade now. People are been offered an ‘unreachable’ carrot, luring them to
his charm through marketing gimmicks and lavishly spending people’s money on entertaining
a handful of industrialists. I was really encouraged by the words of Shri
Chidambaram that the people of a state are the most powerful factor to decide
on governance. If given a fair arguement, the people will definitely have their
word in giving the reigns of the state to the opposition party. We have to show
how we can be more productive than the current BJP-led government.
The leaders
were very accurate in their figures. They pointed out on various points that
showed the mis-governance of Narendra Modi. Smt. Ambika Soni, Union Cabinet
Minister for Information and Broadcasting, gave out the details about the
condition of people residing in Gujarat and compared it to the figures that
were being projected outside Gujarat. There is high gender discrimination in
Gujarat; it can be seen from the skewed sex ratio. The people ratio of poverty
is more than 31% which is higher than the national average. Malnourishment
among children gives out a very sad picture. What can be said about the
‘development’ of the state whose 45% children are not able to get the required
quantity of necessary vitamins?
Shri Salman
Khurshid, Union Cabinet Minister for Minority Affairs, threw light on the poor
state of minority communities, SC, ST and women in Gujarat. BJP has been
overlooking these important classes of people and remembers them only when they
seem to be potential vote banks. There has not been inclusive economic growth.
Each year 5-6 news about communal classes in Gujarat is received nationally.
Due to social boycott and unhelpful government, a high ratio of migration has
been seen in SCs and STs. Minorities are totally neglected. There has been no
implementation of Forest Right Act for Tribals. The students of minority
community are entitled to pre-metric scholarships; that has never been
implemented. The attitude of Narendra Modi and his governance has forced his
fellow partymen like Sanjay Joshi and Keshubhai Patel to revolt against him. At
this moment BJP is breaking and we have to strike harder!
Shri Chidambaram,
Union Cabinet Minister for Home, said that the development cannot be marked as
the same if the whole body is not nourished. What Gujarat is witnessing right
now is called Headline growth. It means only a bunch of business houses get to
benefit from the economic uprise. Has Gujarat government thought about those
small and medium business holders who contribute the maximum in Gujarat’s
annual domestic production? Did BJP even exist during the first 30 years of
Gujarat as a state? Who was responsible for the social and economic development
then? The current phase of economic growth is the result of strong political
and industrial base laid during the regime of Congress in Gujarat. Even if you
see the figures of national economics, the current UPA government has been
monumental in pulling India out of the curbs of recession and economic
depression. Again, false figures were highlighted by BJP. In the year 2010-11
the GDP achieved by India was around 8%. It was higher before but due to
various factors it has slowed down, but not stopped. We will again bounce back
soon. Three major factors have affected our economy:
1-
International economic slowdown: It is because of the able governance of UPA-2
that India is not among the countries like Greece and Portugal who had to take
grants of hundreds of billions of dollars just to revive their economy. We have
taken harsh but decisive steps to get our economy on a stable state.
2- During the
regime of NDA, crude oil prices were barely near 25$ per barrel. Today they are
around 160$ per barrel. Still UPA-2 has been able to keep the prices on check
with minimal required hikes in fuel prices.
3- We have been
giving a huge amount of subsidies to various states including Gujarat, which
has been a major factor for annual GDP slow down.
Inspite of
these factors, UPA has been doing a commendable job but balancing between
international economic turmoil and internal hiccups. Shri Chidambaram gave us a
golden advice of staying united and giving good message to the people of
Gujarat in one voice. I once again thank all three leaders for visiting Gujarat
and being kind enough to spend some time with us. You are welcome back again!
Jai Hind!
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