PM favours constructive discussion on holding simultaneous polls

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : PM Narendra Modi on November 26, 2017, addressed the valedictory session of the function to mark National Law Day – 2017, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. He described the Constitution as the very soul of the country’s democratic structure. He said the Day is an occasion to pay homage to the makers of the Constitution. He said the Constitution has stood the test of time and proved the naysayers wrong.

The Prime Minister quoted extensively from leaders including Dr B R Ambedkar, Dr Sachidanand Sinha, Dr Rajendra Prasad, and Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, during his address. These quotations were used to highlight several important facets of the Constitution and governance. These themes included the longevity of the Constitution, its workability and flexibility.

The Prime Minister said that the Constitution has been a guardian for us. He emphasized, ” We, the people, must also work as per the expectations that our guardian – the Constitution – has from us.” He said that keeping in mind the needs of the country and the challenges facing it, the various institutions of governance should support and strengthen each other. He said that in the next five years, we should channelize our energies to build the New India – the nation that our freedom fighters dreamt of, according to a PIB release.

The Prime Minister said that the Constitution has also been described as a social document. He said it is indeed unfortunate that the weaknesses that had been identified in our country at the dawn of independence, have still not been entirely eradicated. He said the current time can be described as a golden period when India is full of self-confidence.

Emphasizing the importance of “Ease of Living,” the Prime Minister said that the role of the Government should be one of a facilitator more than a regulator. The Prime Minister gave several examples of “Ease of Living” that have been brought about in the last three years such as quicker income tax refunds, quicker passport delivery etc. He said these initiatives have had a positive impact on all sections of the society. He said about 1200 archaic laws have been repealed. He said ease of living has also had a positive impact on “ease of doing business.”

Mentioning the massive expenditure that has to be borne by exchequer on account of frequent elections, and other related issues such as diversion of security forces and civil staff, and impact on development programmes, the Prime Minister called for a constructive discussion on the possibility of holding simultaneous elections for the Union and State Governments.