When various economic issues beg for attention, the Bharatiya Janata Party Government at the centre is concentrating on unnecessary issues such as imposition of Sanskrit, said R. Nallakannu, Senior Leader, Communist Party of India (CPI), here on Sunday.
Speaking at the 13 anniversary of Tiruchi Arivalar Peravai (Tiruchi Intellectual Forum), Mr.Nallakannu said that Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is an economically and socially important scheme. Besides preventing migration of labour from rural areas to urban areas, the scheme had provided employment to women of various caste groups who worked united. Asset creation was done and the amount spent for the scheme was only Rs. 40,000 crore per annum. But the Centre is trying to tamper with the scheme. At the same time, Rs 5. lakh crore worth of concessions were given to big business houses, Mr. Nallakannu alleged.
Arguing that the secular fabric of the nation should not be disturbed, he said divisions in the name of religion, literature, and epics should not be encouraged. He cited the example of Sethusamudram project. More than scientific reasons such as damage to coral reefs cited to stall the project, the sentiments attached to ‘Ramar palam’ were orchestrated to stop the project. He called for developing scientific temper among people.
M. Naganathan, former Vice-chairman, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission, said that dissent was permitted in a democracy. People who speak about their rights in a democracy should not forget their duties also.
He said that United Nations Development Programme report for 2014 speaks about sustaining human progress, reducing vulnerabilities, and building resilience. India was in 135 position with respect to Human Development Index while China was at 91 position.
Mr. Naganathan said that V.N. Vohra Committee report which dealt with criminalisation of politics should be made public.
G. Renganathan, president of the Peravai, and C. Ashokan, general secretary, spoke.
