PM Modi listens to Gujarat demands

Till recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his fair share of demands for Gujarat as its chief minister. Now, it’s Anandiben Patel’s turn to make demands for the state after filling Modi’s old shoes.

Echoing Modi’s old demands, Anandiben asked the Centre to expedite the construction of sluice gates at the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Project, for which the prime minister made fun of his predecessor Manmohan Singh during electioneering.

She also asked that the “State of Unity” – a 182-metre-high statue of Sardar Vallabhai Patel – be recognised as a national project.

Incidentally, Modi laid the foundation stone of the State of Unity in October. Anandiben also asked for the second installment of funds for the Dandi Heritage Project.

During her meeting with Modi, Anandiben sought the speedy environmental clearances for industrial projects in Gujarat.

It may be recalled that Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar recently assured all state governments of fast green clearances for industry projects.