The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today called for finding long-term policy solutions to eradicate poverty rather than offering short term waivers or freebies. He wanted government and policymakers to ensure that the benefits of all programs reach the most deserving sections of society.
“People in public life must aim at eradication of poverty and make efforts to bring in unity among people,” he said.
Addressing the gathering after releasing the book titled, “The vision of Antyodaya” compiled by the Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN)at UpaRashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, he called for plugging loopholes in the anti-defection law to prevent elected representatives fromdefecting to another party without resigning. He urged upon all political parties to discipline their members and ensure that such tendencies were curbed.
The Vice President said people have a choice to change parties if they have a difference of opinion on ideology, but not for individual benefits. “People in public life must treat their profession as a mission to serve and not for commission and they should not give remission to their responsibilities,” he added.
Pointing out that people’s decision was supreme in a democratic polity, the Vice President said that it was unfortunate that few have developed intolerance towards the mandate of the people. He expressed concern over frequent obstruction andviolation of procedures in parliament and state legislatures and stressed the urgent need to restore “Discussion, Debates