Interview/ Kiren Rijiju, Parliamentary affairs minister
THE FIRST budget of the first Narendra Modi government in 2014 had seen finance minister Arun Jaitley painstakingly replying to questions, winning grudging admiration of the opposition’s floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Now with a combative Rahul Gandhi in the saddle and after a decade of confrontations between the government and the opposition, running a smooth house is not an easy task for Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Rijiju says his personal interactions with Congress leaders, including Kharge, are cordial, but in Parliament a belligerent opposition is trying to score political points. Helming the crucial task of defending the government’s economic blueprint in the house, he says the budget is important for the implementation of the Viksit Bharat vision of the Modi government. “Its success depends on cooperative federalism, as state governments hold the key to smooth implementation of budgetary provisions,” he says. Excerpts from an interview:
Q How has the Lok Sabha election results impacted parliamentary proceedings?
A This budget session is special because it is the first budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic third term. This is an occasion for the democratically elected government to present to the people the progressive steps being taken to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat. It is also an opportunity for citizens to become aware of how they will benefit from the work being done by the government.
India is on the cusp of becoming the world’s third largest economy and Prime Minister Modi is laying a strong foundation to achieve this goal. Therefore, there is a need to debate and discuss the various steps being taken to boost infrastructure, create opportunities and bolster the economy for the welfare of citizens. However, the opposition parties are speaking a political language and not commenting on the budget. If they want to make any substantial contributions to the implementation of the budget, like discussing the Rs11,11,000 crore set aside for building world-class infrastructure or other specific proposals for different sectors for job creation for youth, development of women and children, farmers, health, education and training or special provisions for development of backward and tribal regions, this is the opportunity for the opposition to participate in debates and help us implement these measures.
There is special emphasis on MSMEs for last-mile job creation, support to local entrepreneurship, micro industries, improving exports and production of shrimp and many other substantial budget allocations to different areas that are suggestive of the approach being taken by the government. It is here the opposition can play a key role in helping with suggestions on how to improve its implementation by way of positive engagement.
Q How important is the opposition’s role in the implementation of budget proposals?
A To successfully implement the budget, the state governments play a key role. Therefore, cooperation of state governments is of critical importance from the point of view of cooperative federalism and smooth implementation. A major focus area of the Central government is that each state must work in a competitive way to take the best out of various measures being drawn up for the development of the country. When the states progress, the country will progress and move forward on the path of development. The attempt is to give each state government an opportunity to utilise the budgetary allocations in a productive manner. Therefore, the role of the opposition leaders should reflect these efforts and facilitate the work being done.
Aggressive mode: Rahul Gandhi in Parliament | PTI
Q The budget gave significant funds to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, states ruled by key BJP allies. The opposition has accused the government of discrimination.
A It is not true that only the allies got special funds. Because the prime minister makes allocation for all projects across the country, only a handful can find mention in a budget speech. Therefore, they got attention. But if you see the proposal for three crore houses to be built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or the Rs11,11,000 crore capital expenditure and push for infrastructure, it is meant for all states and Union territories. Such measures offer an example of the steps being taken for the development of all states and Union territories.
The prime minister has given emphasis to the eastern part of the country―West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh―which are slightly more backward in infrastructure and facilities than the states in the west and the north. Therefore, the east and the northeast were given special attention this time. Why will the opposition have any objection to the development of eastern and northeast regions and being given special attention to bring them at par with states in the south, west and north?
The main problem of the opposition is that it is playing politics and using abusive language against the prime minister rather than discussing the provisions made in the budget. I am appealing to all the opposition parties to talk about the budget and not misuse the platform for scoring political points.
Q Is there a realisation at the Centre that cooperation with states is necessary?
A In the past 10 years, the BJP has been talking about cooperative federalism but the behaviour of the opposition parties has been disappointing, as they are not making any suggestions for better utilisation of funds. Instead, they are using the time allotted to different parties in Parliament to rake up political issues. The prime minister has also made an appeal to devote more time to the nation. He said political parties got enough opportunity during the Lok Sabha elections for politics and the time in Parliament should be utilised to work for desh (country) and not for dal (party).
Q When the BJP was in the opposition, how was the functioning of Parliament?
A During the UPA rule, we used to scrutinise the budget every year and make suggestions. We utilised the time given to us to engage in constructive debates. The reason why the opposition parties talk about the smooth functioning of Parliament in previous years and fondly recall long hours of debates and discussions at times running into midnight was because the BJP not only allowed the house to function but also engaged constructively in all parliamentary proceedings that set high standards for future opposition parties.
Q You met Congress president Kharge and other opposition leaders before the session. How is your relationship with them?
A Whenever I have had one-on-one meetings with the opposition leaders, whether it is Kharge ji or any other leader, it was always cordial. These personal meetings are, in fact, fruitful and engaging. It is out of political compulsions that many of them take contrary positions when they are on the floor of the house where issues are being raised to score political points. I hope the same cordial and helpful attitude shown in personal meetings is reflected in the house so that quality of debates and discussions improves in Parliament and the outcome is more positive.