New Delhi: While discussing one year of the Modi government, senior minister Suresh Prabhu has admitted to NDTV that the backlash to the land reforms was the result of poor public communication of the benefits of the new rules to acquire farmland. "I agree that wrong communication has created misconceptions. We are now telling the people and our perception is going. Our bill is pro-farmer," said Mr Prabhu, who is Railways Minister.
He rebutted criticism that the government's focus on introducing bullet trains is a misplaced priority given the vast state of disrepair and inefficiency in the world's fourth-largest rail network.
"We can do both. Just because I love my mother doesn't mean I am not loving my wife," said Mr Prabhu in a unique analogy.
The government's new rules for how businesses can buy land have led to it being tagged by Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi as 'a suit boot ki sarkar (government for the elite).' "I don't know what it means," said Mr Prabhu. "(The) opposition doesn't want us to wear shoes. Now they want to decide the dress code for the country and do moral policing," he joked.
The land bill, seen as the centerpiece of the government's economic reform agenda, has been sent to a parliamentary committee for review after a united opposition blocked it from being brought to the Rajya Sabha or Upper House where the government is in a minority.
While assessing the government's first year in office, Mr Prabhu said reports of the Prime Minister's Office being over-centralised are incorrect. "PM Modi is not domineering. He is available for consultation for everyone and he is a tall leader who overawes," said Mr Prabhu.
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