Oppn tears into govt, while offering 'help'

Along with an offer of "help" and "coordination", Opposition today tore into the government in Rajya Sabha, questioning it on schemes like Jandhan, MNREGA and 'Make in India' and slamming its defence and foreign policy, particularly vis-a-vis Pakistan.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad accused the government of "double speak" and "hypocrisy" over the initiatives taken by it and said there was no expectation that these will yield any results.
"There are so many things blown out of proportion. This is unfavourable....This is all hypocracy. Nothing is going to be done. I don't have any expectation, any aspiration," the Congress leader said while speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address to which he moved some amendments along with party colleagues Ashwani Kumar and Moti Lal Vora.

"I am not talking about success rate. We have also worked," he said, adding "We both should work together and coordinate together... No doubt, we are in opposition. But we are ready to help you."
Referring to the farm sector and farmers, he said the government had neglected it. "We were happy when the government promised 50 per cent profit over and above MSP in its election campaign. But this was not done."
Instead, the government gave an affidavit to Supreme Court and said it cannot be implemented, he said, adding even MSP has been hiked for "namesake".

On government's target to double farm income by 2022, Azad said, "Who will be in the government then? The present promises are not fulfilled. It would have been nice if you had said it would be done in this tenure. How can you decide on the coming governments?"

He said the government started focusing on rural sector after cutting budget for it in last two years.
Attacking the government for trumpeting 'Make in India' programme, Azad said, "It has promised to create 10 crore jobs in five years. Two years have gone by. Where are the jobs?"
He added, "We would also be happy if poverty is eliminated. What has been done in this regard? Have you achieved this target?"
Praising the government for realising the importance of programmes started by UPA government and continuing them now, Azad said the ruling party started hailing MGNREGA and food law after checking its impact at ground level.

"There are many schemes that UPA had initiated. Why don't you acknowledge them," he said.
On Jandhan Yojana, Azad pointed out lack of progress made in opening of bank accounts though much publicity was being done on the same across the country.
Referring to the importance given to social democracy in President's speech, Azad said, "We know what kind of attitude this government has towards dalits. ...Maximum atrocities were on dalits and SCs. The intensity of atrocities are increasing. What kind of sea change has come?"
With regard to foreign policy, he said the government is in "doldrums and indicisive" with regard to Pakistan.

Noting the irony of affairs, the former UPA minister
said, "When we were in power, when we were engaging Pakistan, we were criticised. Now you are engaging, you consider it good. If others do, it is wrong. If you do, it is good."
Azad, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, said several Indian soldiers have been targeted in ceasefire violations in his state and the government should give "full backing" to them irrespective of difference of opinion.
The Congress will support you when it comes to national security, he said.
Referring to the attack on Pathankot Airbase in January, he said the government had committed blunders. "Inspite of intellenge inputs, counter measures were not taken. It happened for the first time," he said.

At this, Minister Maneka Gandhi reminded him of the terrorist attack in Mumbai in November 2008.
Azad then said, "In Mumbai, it did happen. In Parliament, it did happen. Pakistan is friend to no one, neigher us nor you. I was saying it happened in our and your times."
He said, "When it happened in our times, you said we were trying to treat terrorists in grand manner. What are you doing now? The double speak will not be tolerated".
Azad said BJP had defamed Congress and UPA government. "UPA did a lot of work in its 10 years tenure. You won 282 seats by rumour-mongering against the UPA," he added.

Raising black money issue, Azad said, "The President's address says the black money has started yield results. Where are the results showing?"
The government gave an affidavit to Supreme Court saying that it cannot make public names of those stashed black money abroad, the Congress leader said.
"In the entire 10 years UPA tenure, BJP kept attacking leaders of Congress within and outside. It tarnished image. It even said the black money kept outside belongs to Congress. ...Almost two years have passed, Why are you not making public those names? BJP should apologise Congress for indulging in propaganda and tarnishing the image," he said.

The Congress leader also accused the government of neglecting the defence sector, saying "it was for the first time that there is no mention about defence in the Budget... Why it is missing? It is a very serious issue...NDA is suffering to protect borders."
Speaking further on defence, Azad said, "You always make
tall claims about defence. We need to make a strong country by building strong borders. For which, defence procurement is necessary."
He said UPA government had contracted to procure 126 Rafale fighter aircrafts from France. Out of these, 18 were to be bought off-the-shelf and the rest were to be manufactured in India using French technology.

But the NDA government scrapped the deal. "Why it was shelved? If it had been done, we would have earned name in the world. Now, we talk of procuring 36 of them as if we are buying chocolates. ...We are not sure of those 36 also. The House is not taken into confidence," he said.
Azad further said when French President Francois Hollande was here as Chief Guest for Republic Day this year he had said India will purchase ready-to-fly 36 rafale jets.
He questioned if ready-to-fly fighter jets are to be bought from France, then what will happen to 'Make in India' programme.

On Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, Azad said, "The name has been changed from Nirmal Bharat. What if you change the name, you have to work."
He suggested that cleanliness programme should not focus on toilets. "I think cleanliness is a comprehensive thing. Toilet is a part of the compaign. You did a lot but nothing came out."
Praising the government's initiative on Smart City, Azad said, "I really appreciate you for this. Old cities have to be revamped. It is a great idea."
He however said that only three years are left for the government to implement this. "In two years, you selected cities. In coming three years, Rs 500 crore is allocated. Only a district hospital can be constructed with this amount. I don't understand how can you construct smart city with this amount. It is pittance. You are making a redicule.