Modi attacks centre at NDC meet(Video)

New Delhi, 27 December 2012

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today at the 57th National Development Council (NDC) attacked the Centre, and said the country was in the grip of pessimism because of “policy paralysis, intellectual bankruptcy and lack of leadership”. Here are the highlights of Modi’s speech and his talk with media persons:

-The Centre’s policies “lack urgency or seriousness” in tackling economic crisis and thus the “sense of pessimism” in the 12th Plan.

-There is a policy paralysis, intellectual bankruptcy and lack of leadership in the country because of which the country was experiencing stagnancy. We are going on the path of negative growth.

-When the entire world was looking at India in the context of development, there is sense of pessimism from the ones who are leading the nation making it difficult to move forward.

-It seems that there is no urgency or seriousness in tackling economic crises facing the country. There has been a virtual lack of direction in the macro-economic management of the country.

-Though the target of 9 percent GDP growth, talked about last year, appeared ambitious, “it was not impossible to achieve if we had the political will to do what is necessary.

-In this context, it is painful to note the unmistakable sense of pessimism in the 12th Plan document…Significantly lowering the growth targets of the 12th Plan will further add to the mood of despondency and pessimism in the country and cast increasing doubts on the sustainability of the India Growth Story.

-If the Centre can blame the international situation, who should the states point out to.

-The National Resources Commission should decide on the quota utility of natural resources which were a part of the state, but noted such states should be given a say while making such allocations.

-The country is facing a demographic opportunity as 65 percent of the population is young and pitched for a youth-centric growth which focusses on skill development.

-The Planning Commission had also studied the Gujarat model for skill development and recommended it to other states.

-The outlook for employment for the youth in industry remains bleak which casts a doubt on India’s capacity to take advantage of the demographic dividend.

-It is unfortunate that the central government has been bereft of any vision or strategy in this regard. This feeling of helplessness in making effective policy interventions has resulted in job creation suffering and the youth of the country becoming disillusioned.

-Modi sought to project the Gujarat model of development by listing out the initiatives taken by him in various sectors including agriculture, urban development and decentralized planning.

-Modi said how then were some of the states performing better.

-Modi called for setting up a National Resources Commission on the lines of the Finance Commission which discusses the allocation of grants to states every five years.