Tripura's Marxist CM invites Modi to address his cabinet

Dec 01 2014 : The Times of India (Ahmedabad)

Tripura's Marxist CM invites Modi to address his cabinet

Sanjay Dutta

Agartala:





PM Accepts, Will Speak On Good Governance

PM Narendra Modi's vision of a Swachh Bharat appears to have conquered the Tripura government's imagination even before he steps foot on Monday in the last citadel of the Left. Accepting chief minister Ma nik Sarkar's invitation, Mo di is expected to address the state cabinet on his theme of good governance.The meeting is going to be the first of its kind. In the backdrop of intense political partisanship in Centre-State relationships, it is being seen as a harbinger of a new trend. Ever since becoming Prime Minister, Modi has made it clear that there was no place for politics when it came to working with the states for development.
Modi is coming here to switch on the second unit of the 726 mw power plant constructed by ONGC-Tripura Power Company Ltd at Palatana, some 70 km from the state capital. Sources in the know said the PM is expected to meet members of Sarkar's cabinet after the inaugural function.
The invitation from Sarkar, who leads the sole surviving Marxist regime in the country, also stands out since the chief minister had earlier this month wrote to the PM expressing apprehension that changes in the structure of the rural employment scheme -MGNREGA -would reduce the money allotted for his state.
Sarkar, who has been chief minister since 1998 and is serving his fourth term, had maintained that the proposed changes would make "the people from rural areas, particularly of Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and minority community losers". PM Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Union government was taking steps to check illegal migrants from Bangladesh by enforcing the land swapping deal for a lasting solution.
The PM also stressed on making a "smart" police force, which lays store by preventing crimes through more evolved intelligence gathering and network.
Speaking on infiltration, Modi said, "I will make such arrangements, after which all roads will be closed for Bangladeshis coming and destroying Assam every day .Believe in my word that land swapping deal will be done for a permanent solution to this problem of Assam," Modi told a mammoth gathering of party workers. Once the deal is ratified in Parliament, infiltration from Bangladesh will stop for good, Modi said.
"I understand the sentiments of the people associated with the deal. I won't allow any forces to harm Assam's and India's interests. The deal will help ensure Assam's security ," Modi told a packed stadium of over 35,000 people.
The pact also seeks to exchange enclaves on both sides to facilitate the demarcation of a proper boundary between India and Bangladesh.
The department related parliamentary standing committee on external affairs, led by Shashi Tharoor, is likely to place its report on the Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill in Parliament on December 1, which seeks to redraw India's boundary with Bangladesh through a land-swap in four states: Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Bengal.
The deal, signed by previous PM Manmohan Singh in Dhaka in 2011, had triggered a political war with BJP opposing it charging that the state's people weren't consulted.
The PM, presenting his concept of `SMART police', told the annual conference of DGPs and IGPs here, "When I talk about `SMART' concept, I mean police need to be `strict and sensitive' at the same time, `modern and mobile', `alert and accountable', `reliable and responsive', and `techno-savvy and trained'. I am putting this concept for you to discuss."
`Ensure swachh venue after rally'
PM Modi asked BJP workers to ensure that the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Sarusajai, where he spoke at a rally on Sunday, was cleaned up after the meet. "Cleaning the stadium is our responsibility," Modi said, saying the spirit of Swachh Bharat should be demonstrated by BJP workers in every sphere.