No Pak soldier or citizen died in Balakot air strike: Sushma Swaraj
Ahmedabad, Apr 18: External Affairs Minister and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj Thursday said no Pakistani soldier or citizen died in the air strike carried out by the Indian Air Force across the border in response to the Pulwama terror attack in February.
Addressing women party workers here, she stressed on a 2014-like full majority BJP-led government this time also, saying former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee could not do everything which he wanted to because he was heading a coalition administration.
The IAF had struck a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot area on February 26, in response to the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.
Swaraj said the air strike was carried out in self- defence.
"When we carried out air strike across the border after the Pulwama terror attack, we had told the international community that we took that step in self-defence only.
"We had told the international community that the armed forces were instructed not to harm any Pakistani citizen or its soldier during the strike," she said.
"The Army was told to target only the terror camps of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, which had taken the responsibility for the Pulwama attack.
"And, our Army did the same without harming any Pakistani citizen or soldier," said Swaraj.
The foreign minister said the entire international community supported had India over the air strike.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said he has emerged as a top international leader who sets the agenda for the world.
Referring to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, Swaraj said the then Congress-led UPA government had failed to take along other countries to isolate Pakistan in the world despite the fact that 40 foreign citizens belonging to 14 countries had also died in the strike.
The External Affairs Minister said Pakistan had raised objection to the invitation extended to India for a meet of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Abu Dhabi last month, but the host country UAE snubbed Islamabad.
Stressing on a full majority government led by the BJP this time also, Swaraj said Vajpayee could not do all the things he wanted because he was heading a coalition government (1998-2004).
Swaraj, who was a minister in the Vajpayee Cabinet also, said coalition governments face pressure.
"You must be wondering how Modiji could do so many things in these five years. He could do it because he was heading a full majority government.
"If he was running a coalition government, then he might have been in some pressure," she said.
"I have seen it. I was a minister in the Vajpayee government. Atalji wanted to do so many things.
"But, since he was heading a coalition government, he could not do all those things. Modiji could do it because people gave us a full majority," said Swaraj.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
