VP Calls For Meaningful Debate On CAA, NRC & NPR, Pays Tributes To Dr Channa Reddy

Hyderabad, Dec.29 (Maxim News): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has called for an enlightened and constructive debate on the issues such as CAA, NRC and NPR and urged the people to study in-depth and fully understand the background before reacting to any issue.

Inaugurating the Birth Centenary Celebrations of late chief minister Dr M. Channa Reddy here today, the Vice President said violence and democracy do not go together and cautioned the people to not get carried away in this age of fake news. As regards the CAA, NRC and NPR, the people of the country should have an enlightened, meaningful and constructive discussion and not jump to hasty conclusions. “Ours is a mature democracy and there was no place for violence in it”, he said.

Stating that dissent or disagreement has to be expressed in a constructive, democratic and peaceful manner, he recalled that Mahatma Gandhi had eschewed violence in all its forms even in the face of most daunting challenges. “While protesting against the British rule, he remained civil even to his adversary. He called off Non Cooperation Movement after Chauri Chaura incident which had turned violent”, he pointed out. The Vice President stressed the need for maintaining the dignity of Parliament and Legislatures and raising the standards of the debates. He said personal attacks should not be made, while policies could be criticized.

Referring to the governance, the Vice President called for reforming it constantly in tune with people’s aspirations. He emphasized that transparency, accountability and people-centric policies were essential to provide good governance. He said eliminating corruption, decentralizing administration, cutting down red tape, promoting online interface between government departments and the public and promptly addressing the grievances were important features of a responsive administration.

Paying rich tributes to Dr Marri Channa Reddy, he said late chief minister was a grass-roots politician and a mass leader, who relentlessly strove to uplift the conditions of the common people. The fact that he had occupied so many high offices is a testimony to his administrative acumen and leadership qualities, he added. Venkaiah Naidu said that Dr Reddy’s tenure as Chief Minister was marked by many developmental initiatives as he steered the State on the path to industrialization. He toned up the administration by cutting on red tape and simplifying procedures.

Recalling that agriculture was close to Dr Reddy’s heart, the Vice President said he had accorded the highest priority to improving the lot of the farmers. He also stated that the late Chief Minister was a relentless champion of social justice and had introduced reservations for BCs in government jobs and education in 1980. As a firm believer in strengthening democratic foundations, he reduced the voting age for local bodies from 21 years to 18 years, he added.

The Vice President also conferred Dr M. Channa Reddy National Award for Sustainable Development posthumously on eminent irrigation expert late T Hanumantha Rao. The award is in recognition of his revolutionary innovation of Four Water Concept (FWC) for watershed development.

Himachal Pradesh Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, former Governor of Tamil Nadu Dr K. Rosaiah and others were present on the occasion. (Maxim News)