Outrage Mounts: Jairam Ramesh Exposes Non-biological PM’s Hypocritical Betrayal of Assam and Sikkim
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements on flood relief and development aid on the microblogging site X, particularly in light of recent actions taken by the government. The criticism followed the Finance Minister’s budget speech, which allocated funds for irrigation and flood mitigation.
Ramesh mocked the Prime Minister’s declaration that a developed India depends on developed states, arguing that the government has not matched its rhetoric with corresponding financial support. He lambasted the Union Government’s refusal to declare the 2023 floods a national calamity, despite repeated pleas from the Himachal Pradesh government—a request that the Finance Minister persistently denied.
Highlighting a discrepancy in financial aid distribution, Ramesh noted that BJP-ruled states such as Bihar, Assam, and Uttarakhand received direct financial assistance for flood management. For instance, Assam was promised assistance for flood management projects, and Sikkim was assured of government support. Conversely, Himachal Pradesh, governed by the Congress, was only offered assistance through multilateral development assistance, effectively imposing loans rather than grants on the state.
Ramesh interpreted this as a punitive measure against Himachal Pradesh for not supporting the BJP in assembly elections. He argued that loans would further strain the state, already grappling with geographic and economic challenges, while BJP-ruled states were afforded more favorable financial terms.
In his post, Ramesh condemned the government’s approach as discriminatory and burdensome for states not aligned with the ruling party, raising concerns about equity in disaster relief and development aid distribution.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/jairam-ramesh-non-biological-pms-double-standards-hurt-assam-and-sikkim-1058594-2024-07-28?utm_source=rssfeed
Category :
Tags:
