Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said ordinary citizens must not be inconvenienced by systems meant to serve them, referring to the ongoing IndiGo Airlines crisis.
Briefing on the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting, Union Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told media persons that PM Modi expressed concern over the chaos triggered by the mass cancellation of IndiGo flights, and stressed that passengers must not face inconvenience under any circumstances.
“The Prime Minister also told MPs that people should not be troubled or inconvenienced. Rules and laws are important, but in the process of correcting the system, it is not right to harass people,” Rijiju said.
PM Modi also asked MPs to strengthen their connection with the public and reiterated the government’s commitment to reforms that improve daily life.
“Rules and regulations must be for improving the system, not to harass people. The purpose of rules is to ease people’s lives, not harass them,” Rijiju said, quoting the PM.
Coming against the backdrop of IndiGo’s continuing flight cancellations, PM’s statements hold significance. The government has already warned of strict action against IndiGo, with the airline losing flight schedules.
The PM also honoured the supreme sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons — Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh and urged nationwide observance of Veer Bal Diwas on December 26, which commemorates the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas.
Informing about the discussions during the meeting, Rijiju said the PM told MPs to focus on reforms for the betterment of people and stressed that ease of life and ease of doing business were top priorities of his government. Reforms should be brought in all aspects of society and not just in the economy, the PM said.
Rijiju said the PM told all NDA MPs to work together and accelerate development works at triple the speed and connect with youths, sports and other activities.
“All NDA leaders congratulated PM Modi for the NDA’s victory in the Bihar elections. PM Modi guided all the NDA MPs to work for their respective constituencies. He emphasised undertaking reforms across all sectors to ease the public’s lives and ensure they face no problems. He also urged the MPs to connect with the youth,” the minister said.
Rijiju also dismissed allegations levelled by the opposition regarding the ‘Vande Mataram’ debate being held in Parliament in mind the forthcoming West Bengal elections, arguing that the government does not decide the dates of historical events.
“Vande Mataram completed 150 years in November. How can we decide on that date? We don’t set the dates for such events, we celebrate them,”according to Rijiju.