New Delhi: Likening the initial years of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre to that of a cricket innings, Finance minister Arun Jaitley has said that the two years of the Modi government were like slog overs, much like what the coming years will be.
Asserting that there was no honeymoon period for the government following which it would initiate work, Jaitley said that the current government has a different style of functioning altogether.
“The difference between the Modi government and the earlier ones is that in the past there was a honeymoon period, then some action and, in the last phase, a few steps that were then seen as gimmickry . It doesn't help,” Jaitley said in an interview to the Times Of India, crediting the Prime Minister for bringing about a sea change in the work ethos of government functioning.
“The PM's style is a little different. His first two (years) were also like slog overs and so it will be for the rest of the term. Every ministry has its task cut out,” he said.
Jailtey said that there is a lot more in store for the country as the government embarks on its third year in power. According to the FM, the Goods and Services Tax is on top of the government’s agenda, wjhile the Direct tax rationalisation will come year by year as exemptions are phased out. In terms of legislation on tackling black money, Jaitley said the Benami law is also in the peipeline.
Responding to allegations against the government of indulging in vendetta politics, Jaitley said the government was open to a debate in Parliament on each of the charges raised by the Congress.
“In each of those cases, I'm open to a debate in Parliament. If Congress wants, we can place before Parliament evidence against a sitting Congress CM, a former Congress CM and his family who's leading the campaign in Punjab, a family member of an important former Union minister, the National Herald case and AgustaWestland,” Jaitley said.
