Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi today continued to attack the Congress party and Congress-ruled central government in his speeches in various rallies in Saurashtra.
Speaking at Keshod rally Shri Modi said, “we want to construct gates on Narmada dam. There are total six gates, and each one is tall like a six-floor building.”
“Erection work of such tall gates can take time as long as three years,” he added.
“I requested Prime Minister to give permission to start erection work. I asked him that by the time Delhi decides on approval to gates, we can start the work. If we wait for a decision to arrive, it will be too late, because even after centre’s nod, it would take three years to erect the gates. He agreed with me, but didn’t give nod,” Modi further said.
Modi said, “the gates can contribute to increase the water level in dam only if they are closed, and I told the PM that we were ready to keep the gates open until approval arrives.”
“Tomorrow the PM, Sonia and parivar will come for Congress campaign. You need to ask them, why erection of Narmada dam gates has not been permitted,” Modi asked the people.
Modi also raised the issue of cotton export ban implied by centre, due to which Gujarat’s farmers had to suffer loses worth thousands of crores.
Modi said the state government has decided not to allow centre to play with Gujarat farmers anymore, and therefore a new textile policy has been declared recently. As per this policy, Farm to Foreign chain will be created within the cotton growing areas, and textile parks will be set up.
“Presently our farmers export only cotton, but we want the entire forward side chain to take place here. Not only row cotton, but final products based on cotton – like ready made garments etc will be exported to foreign countries from cotton growing areas,” Modi said.
Modi also raised the issue of shortage of fertilizers and price hike. He read out a list of prices of fertilizers and compared them with past rates.
Modi also reminded the farmers how during the days of delayed monsoon, the centre had promised financial aid to the state. Modi said, “the state government had given detail picture of financial loses the farmers had suffered due to delayed monsoon, but till date the centre has not given assistance that was assured by it at that time.”
Modi also raised the power supply issue. He said, “Earlier the farmers used to describe electricity supply as ‘Langadi vijali’. It was this government that set up 15 sub stations per month to ensure smooth power supply. The previous government were setting up 15 sub stations per year.”
Gujarat Vidhansabha 