Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the smooth passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha, which seeks to provide 10 per cent quota for the general category poor in jobs and education, is a “strong answer” by the Parliament to those “spreading lies.”
Hoping that the Rajya Sabha too will pass the Bill, Mr. Modi said the rights of the deprived sections, including the Dalits and the tribal people, will not be affected because of the Bill.
Mr. Modi termed the the passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha as a “historic” step which seeks to uplift the deprived sections and also illustrates the commitment of the government to prioritising the good of those needing it the most.
The passage of the Citizenship Bill, seeking to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangaldesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan also found a mention in Mr. Modi’s speech. He assured the people of Assam and North East that their rights will not be curtailed in any way through the Bill’s provisions.
Speaking after inaugurating a highway project built at an investment of over ₹970 crore in Solapur, Mr.Modi said the city will soon be covered under the Udaan scheme that providing air connectivity to smaller cities.
Mr. Modi also laid the foundation stone of a over ₹1,800 crore project of 30,000 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana here.