Economic policy "directionless", minorities anxious: Arun Shourie

The 73-year-old journalist-turned politician said the one-year rule of Modi is "good in parts", his transformation as Prime Minister is good in foreign policy, but the promised turnaround in economy has not happened.

"The government seems to be more concerned with managing headlines than putting policies in place. The situation is like the many pieces of a jigsaw puzzle lying in a mess with no big picture in mind about how to put them together," he said in an interview.

Shourie, who is not active in BJP these days, said despite promises the fears of foreign investors on retrospective taxes and incentives for manufacturing have not materialised on the ground.

"They (investors) require stability and predictability," he said, adding that the concern expressed by eminent banker Deepak Parekh on the situation on the ground should be seen as a "wake up call".

Asked if the Modi government had done enough to put India on growth path, Shourie said that it was "all hyperbole". "Such claims are meant to grab headlines but lack substance," he said. Shourie handled the Ministries of Disinvestment, Communication and Information Technology in the Vajpayee government.

"Government is talking big on economic matters but nothing is happening on ground. Delivery is missing," he added. In an apparent reference to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, he said the government lacked a stable approach in dealing with investors and that "lawyerly arguments" would not convince them.

Source: Online Hindi News and Newspaper

Haryana church demolition: Congress, Left protest in LS over communal remarks of VHP leader

Even as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan rejected adjournment motion notices given by several Congress members on the issue, they insisted on discussing it during Question Hour itself.
   
As members from Congress and Left parties trooped into the Well shouting slogans against the Sangh Parivar, Mahajan reminded them that there was an appropriate time to raise issues, indicating Zero Hour.

"This is not the way... There is an appropriate time to raise issues," she said and requested Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge to listen to her.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said Question Hour was on and wondered what was happening in the House.

In response, Kharge said that despite being very co-operative with the government, the Minister still makes accusations against the Opposition."Aap kursi par aa jaiye (please come and sit in the chair)," Mahajan told BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri who was seen vociferously protesting against the Opposition despite the Chair asking all members to remain calm.

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No minorities in India, all culturally, DNA-wise Hindus: RSS

"Whom do you call minorities? We don't consider anybody to be a minority. There should be no minority concept in the country because there is no minority." senior RSS leader asserted

Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) has said it 20 times that all those born in India are Hindus. Whether they accept it or not, they are culturally, nationally and DNA-wise the same, Hosabale claimed as the three-day conclave of Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the top decision-making body of RSS, is underway.

He was responding to a question on whether RSS would open its door for the religious minorities and women.

"In Sangh Shakhas, the so called minorities that people say are already there...they are volunteers," RSS joint general secretary, said.

Women, he said, were there in Rashtra Sevika Samitis and actively involved in the activities of RSS. "They (women) are indeed not there in the Shakhas, but are everywhere else. They are involved in the Seva activities and are active, even full time volunteers. Several of them are even in the Pratinidhi Sabha," he added.

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