The Hindu : Front Page : Will BJP abolish NREGA, asks Congress

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Friday, Apr 17, 2009
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Will BJP abolish NREGA, asks Congress

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Will the BJP abolish the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) if it comes to power?

This question came from the Congress on Thursday.

Pointing out that the BJP had described the NREGA as a “flop” in its manifesto, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said: “If that is the case, then will the BJP do away with a programme that has given employment to 4.3 crore poor households already?”

The BJP was in denial mode about one of the “most successful social welfare and public works programme in independent India.” The nation ought to be told if that party would do away with the “landmark employment programme that is transforming the lives of poor households across India.”

Mr. Singhvi, who was briefing journalists on the BJP’s “manifesto of omissions,” wondered at its silence on the public sector’s role. “Is it because it wants to continue with its policy of indiscriminate and non-transparent privatisation by stealth?”

He also questioned the absence of ideas on industrial development in the BJP’s manifesto. As for the agricultural sector, he said the BJP did not have any tangible plan on agricultural loan waiver beyond the “vague statement of ‘waive agricultural loans’ that adorn its manifesto.”

The Congress’ submission is that what the BJP has mentioned in its manifesto on this count is essentially a promise that the United Progressive Alliance government had done.

On the BJP’s promise of improving upon the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), the Congress demanded details, as the government had amended the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to provide the country a strong anti-terror law.

Mr. Singhvi said the BJP’s promise on POTA was an attempt to use rhetoric to sway the people, as the two provisions of POTA that were not included in the amended UAPA pertained to confession to a police officer being admissible evidence in court and denial of bail if opposed by the public prosecutor.

“The first has been criticised recently by the Supreme Court. The second is opposed to all notions of justice. So, will the BJP improve upon the POTA by adding these provisions?”

Elections 2009 — Comprehensive coverage

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