AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi has said that the common man in the country has reached a position to question the government through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which was introduced by the Congress government in 2005.
Addressing a huge rally organized by the Congress at Ramleela Maidan here on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi enumerated welfare schemes introduced by the UPA government proving that it a ‘performing government’. Stating that the UPA government had introduced a number of schemes for the uplift of poor and downtrodden sections, Rahul said the Opposition parties were unnecessarily trying to malign the Congress intentionally. He said the common people and farmers would be highly benefited with the introduction of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the country. Stating that the Congress government had introduced RTI Act to curb corruption, the young Gandhi said the common people have reached a stage to question even the government. The UPA government had introduced NREGS scheme which was benefiting crores of the people across the nation.
He said the Congress was ready to hear the Opposition parties patiently, but would not tolerate if they resorted political witch-hunting. Asserting that the UPA government accepted the challenge to change the existing system, he said that at the same time it was committed to ‘Aam Aadmi’ policy.
Lambasting the BJP for opposing the FDI in the retail sector, Rahul said the same BJP had earlier accepted the FDIs. He said the UPA government would bring the Lok Pal Bill to stem the rot. He said the Congress government had not only introduced computers in the country but also gave priority to the youth in all the sectors. The UPA government will also bring a Food Security Bill and Lok Pal Bill soon, he added. He said though the UPA government was fighting against corruption, the Opposition parties were making a hue and cry. Pointing out that Delhi State was developed a lot under the stewardship of Shiela Dixit, Rahul said the Congress alone has strength to build the nation.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said the nation remained a role model to several nations in the matter of development. He also said the farmers were benefited on account of economical reforms introduced by the Congress government. The UPA Government has taken up several development and welfare schemes in its eighth year rule. He lashed out at the Opposition parties for misguiding the people on the government decisions. Dr Singh said the UPA government was sincere and firm on rendering equal justice to all sections of the people. He also said that his government was taking all steps to instill confidence among the farmers. (NSS)