Junagarh (Gujarat), Aug. 15 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hit out at Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the occasion of 66th Independence Day, saying the latter should tell the nation about the UPA Government's strategy to overcome the problem of illegal migration from Bangladesh.
Taking potshots at the central government over the recent incidents of violence in Mumbai and Assam, Modi said illegal migration from Bangladesh posed a serious threat to India's security.
"The nation wants to know about what do you have to say about the illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Illegal migration is posing a serious threat to the security of India. Clashes in Assam are just a trailer and this problem is affecting the whole country," said Modi.
"The whole country wanted to know about your strategy on how to deal with Bangladeshis and what will be their influence on the country," he added.
Modi also took a jibe at the ruling Congress Party, and alleged that the UPA Government has completely failed to undertake adequate steps to overcome prevailing drought conditions across the country.
"India faced severe drought this year. So, why didn't the Prime Minister announce any schemes for the benefit of farmers? Entire country is witnessing severe drought due less rainfall and monsoon failure. Our farmers are facing the brunt of the sins committed by others. The whole was expecting that prime minister would announce some schemes that would bring respite for farmers," he said.
Modi complained that no effective steps are taken in direction of tackling acute unemployment in the country of 120 billion plus population.
"The Prime minister announced from the Red Fort that they would undertake significant steps in direction of skill development. How can we trust you as you are moving so slowly and the world is changing at a swift pace? We are competing with China and I am concerned as to how will we move ahead," he said.
Modi criticized the Prime Minister for not announcing measures to combat malnutrition in the country.
"It is very unfortunate that in your whole speech, you did not mention about the steps that need to be taken to overcome malnutrition. You kept silent on the issues of how to provide nutritious food to the poverty struck families and children," he said.
However, Modi appears to have missed a cue, as the Prime Minister did dwell on the issue of malnutrition while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the 17th century-built Red Fort on the occasion of Independence Day.
Dr. Singh said that his government has taken many steps to deal with the problem of malnutrition in children.
"Malnutrition in children is a big challenge for us. We have taken steps in many dimensions to deal with this problem. In the last 8 years, the number of mothers and children benefitting from the ICDS has doubled. The process of making the ICDS more effective is in its last stages and will be completed in the next 1 or 2 months," said Dr. Singh.
"Our children are the biggest strength of our country. If our children are provided with good education and are healthy, then our future would be bright. This is the reason why we have paid special attention to the needs of children in our policies and programmes," he added. (ANI)
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