Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly, Shankarsinh Vaghela today slammed Narendra Modi led BJP government for continuously 'misleading' people of the state with its empty budgetary promises, over the years.
Speaking during the first day of the four-day general discussions on budget proposals for 2013-14 in the Assembly today, Vaghela attacked the BJP government citing past year's budgetary goals, aims and provisions and alleged that most of them have till date remained unfulfilled.
"In current budget many provisions have been included which were repeated in the last five years' budgets. Projects like Metro Rail linking Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam are glaring examples of it," he said.
"This government had in 2006 claimed that it will bring Narmada waters till Saurashtra and Kutch region. It didn't happen then. They repeated it in 2010, 2011 and 2012. They even brought scores of Sadhu-Saints to Ahmedabad and lighted lamps in Sabarmati river waters for it. Where is Narmada now ?" he alleged.
Citing provisions of more than Rs 500 crore for Metro Rail project he said, "the project doesn't come to life by merely putting boards on the proposed route. State government has to show the willingness to follow it up with Union Government."
"This government should stop misleading people of Gujarat by including unfulfilled promises in each budgets," he added.
Taking Modi government to task on the issue of increasing public debt he said, "the way this government has violated all the principles of fiscal responsibility and discipline at present every new child is being born with Rs 34,444 debt on its head."
"In 2005-06, debt was Rs 66,000 crore which has in 2013-14 increased to 1,58,770 crore. This is a mind-boggling increase and they are claiming that this is good governance," he said.
He also alleged that government has indulged in huge public borrowing for repayment of debts.
