BJP chants growth mantra

 

Addressing a news conference here on Thursday, the minister said there has been considerable change in the very functioning of the ministry which was earlier dubbed as putting obstacle in the path of development.

 

“Now we have dispensed with several such obstacles and all the pending files pertaining to clearances for many major developmental projects have been cleared at the same time bringing accountability and ensuring transparency,” Mr Javadekar said.

 

He said the Narendra Modi government has created a new confidence among domestic and foreign investors and people of the nation that this government is development oriented and nothing else. 

 

Citing an example on the change of functioning of his ministry, Mr Javadekar said, “A meeting of National Wild Life Board was held after 17 months. We have cleared many matters that were pending for months. I recently met former prime minister Manmohan Singh. I have told him that you have classified priority infrastructure projects.

 

There were 17 such projects. But permission was not given for 17 months during your rule. I told him that we held a meeting and gave permissions to all. He congratulated me for doing that. 

“He further said the environmental ministry work has been decentralised and now many projects could get permissions at state level. We started the process of online applications. More than 250 applications have come for forest and environment clearance. They are online and they can be tracked,” he said. 

 

All linear projects, including irrigation canal systems, road and rail, transmission lines and pipelines, have been given more priority. Wildlife is also being taken care of and more sanctuaries created, he added.

 

Meanwhile Mr Javadekar, who also holds information and broadcasting ministry, reacted to the controversy surrounding MSOs blockade of two regional news channels for the past three months. 

 

“No one has the right to infringe into the freedom of press as long as they are responsibly discharging their duties. I know the issue, as it has been going on for the past few months. I will initiate legal and other steps for restoring the telecast of the two news channels in Telangana in a couple of days,” Mr Javadekar assured to a delegation that met him before the media conference.

 

Stressing the need for press freedom, the minister said a free media was the soul of democracy and recalled its role in the country’s freedom struggle. He said the writings and reporting in the media against the British went a long way in India attaining independence from the foreign Rule. 

 

“Press freedom is very important. But freedom has not come for free. Therefore, freedom entails responsibility. So, it has to be a responsible freedom. So those who enjoy freedom must also behave responsibly. But, if they are responsible media, we are bound to protect them and we will do our duty,” he added.