Narendra Modi in Parliament Narendra Modi in Parliament

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a reply to a discussion on motion of thanks in the Rajya Sabha, brushed off the Opposition’s criticism of his government and asserted that his administration works for the poorest of the poor and not for corporates.

Modi also sought cooperation of the opposition saying his government does not claim to know everything just because they are sitting in the treasury benches.

“We do not feel that just because we are in the treasury benches, we know it all. Everyone has to work together,” Modi said. “In a democracy, threats do not work. This nation did not bend during the emergency also,” he added.

The Prime Minister took on the opposition over its claims that most schemes being run by the NDA government were re-packaged.

“It has been said that the schemes are old. There is nothing new. Whether the schemes are new or old is not the issue. The issue is that the problems are old. We should look for solutions to these problems.”

Here are the live updates from PM Modi’s speech:

* Through Jan Dhan Yojana, we have opened bank accounts for the poor. Is this a scheme for the corporates?: PM Modi

* We are trying to build toilets in schools for children belonging to poor families. Do children from rich families go there? : PM Modi

* Our government is committed to the progress of poor people who live on the fringes of society. : PM Modi

*In the budget, we have offered 42% devolution to the states as per the financial commission report. This will benefit the states a lot and strengthen the economy especially in states. : PM Modi

* We have a demographic dividend. Skill development is necessary for the country, especially for those students who are forced to drop out of school. By 2022, we will try to meet our targets — 3 lakh houses in rural areas and 2 lakh houses in urban areas. : PM Modi

PMModi sidesteps Mayawati’s query on quota for SC/ST in private sector @IndianExpress — Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) March 3, 2015

* This is a House of Elders. I am very new here. : PM Modi

* In 2004, the Cabinet Secretary was removed, Foreign Secretary was made without regarding seniority. You insulted Governors & removed them. : PM Modi

* Railways and Highways, they are both under the Government but one did not approve project of the other. We changed that. : PM Modi

* In the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, 96% funds were utilized. It has resulted in a spurt of production of items like milk, wheat. : PM Modi

* Job creating is important for the country. We need to speed up infrastructure building. : PM Modi

Congress under attack from PMModi. But he lauds veteran party MP Motilal Vohra for implementing Adarsh Gram Yojana in C’garh @IndianExpress — Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) March 3, 2015

* I am aware of 25,000 people losing jobs due to the closing of the Nokia factory in Chennai. It is sad. But it has happened because of policies of the previous administration. : PM Modi

* We will do everything to recover black money. Without information, we cannot win the war against black money. : PM Modi

* We will always care for the farmers in the country. : PM Modi

PM assures J&K govt will function only on the basis of Commmon Minimum Program @IndianExpress — Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) March 3, 2015

* This government will move ahead with zero tolerance for terrorism.: PM Modi

(With IANS inputs)

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