UPA economic policy hurting common man, says Gadkari

“The common man had been made to suffer because of the wrong economic policies of the economist Prime Minister. It is unfortunate that people of the country are being made victims due to wrong economic decisions being taken by the UPA government,” he stated.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of 94th annual general meeting of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).

Earlier, addressing the FKCCI members he said the country has been spending Rs 3.70 lakh crore every year on crude oil purchase. “By purchasing crude oil with such huge sum, the government has been encouraging terrorism. Countries that are selling crude to us are using the money against us by funding terrorism,” he said, adding that the problem can be solved by promoting bio fuel.

Gadkari also alleged that Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh was stalling power and coal mining projects, citing environment protection. “The Environment and Forest Ministry has taken eccentric approach…It is nothing but eco-terrorism. All thermal power generation projects in Chhattisgarh have been stalled. The ,inistry has been stalling all power generation projects despite the country facing power deficit by 55,000 MW,” he stated.

At Rs 4.50 per unit of power, how the country can compete at the international level.  What the country needs is an integrated approach. Both development and environment protection should be ensured by the government, he added. He advocated the need for private sector participation in the power generation in a big way.