PM Modi takes on Opposition in RS: As it happened

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday evening replied in the Rajya Sabha to the Motion of Thanks to President's speech in Parliament. Here are the highlights:

• PM showed the mirror to the Opposition, his speech was exceptionally good: Sambit Patra, BJP.
• Was all their (BJP) promises a 'jumla'? They say they want to take everyone along but don't acknowledge the Opposition: Congress' Anand Sharma.
• Reacting to Modi's speech, Congress' Shakeel Ahmad says, "It is funny that PM says there is no place for threats in democracy and his own party people use that language."
• Our faith is in the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
• We don't support some comments made recently by leaders from Kashmir. But it is not possible to keep defending or clarifying each and every remark in Parliament.
• The government in Jammu and Kashmir will work as per the Common Minimum Programme. Zero tolerance on terror is our policy.
• We will neither get bullied, nor bully anyone. We will work with other countries with out head held high.
• The world has now changed. I have said again and again that we will work towards improving relations with other countries.
• We have increased allocation to states from central tax revenue.
• The law will stay; we will remove the shortcomings. I urge you to help us and together we can take India's development ahead.
• We need to protect farmers' interests together.
• Please don't spread lies on compensation. Compensation has not been reduced in the amended Bill.
• We need to carry on with economic activity, to set up industries etc. Under current law, it is difficult to acquire law.
• We are committed to bringing back black money.
• If SIT on black money was set up during UPA regime, illegal transactions would have stopped by now. The SIT was not set up then in order to protect some people.
• We are giving importance to a Digital India and mobile governance
• Sitaram Yechury had expressed concern on the closure of Nokia plant in Tamil Nadu and 25000 people had lost jobs. It was not because of us but because of policies of the previous government. We are trying to revive that facility.
• If we have to create jobs, we will have to promote the idea of Make in India. We will have to focus on infrastructure development.
• Agricultural production in Bengal has fallen drastically. NSSO has found starvation to be worst in Bengal.
• Those with an imported ideology got to serve in West Bengal for 30 years. What happened there. I don't blame you (pointing at Left members) for the current situation in West Bengal. Bengal once used to be industrial capital of the country, says PM teasingly.
• Whatever we are doing, let us take it to the ground and take it to the people. Our efforts are in that direction.
• We should work towards changing lives of the downtrodden.
• During UPA rule, only 6.5% people got 100 days' of work.
• Development can happen through 'Neeti' and 'Reeti'.
• When you stay connected to the ground, you realise what is happening on the ground.
• Power is an addiction. Hope God helps us in not getting addicted.
• Railways and Highways, they are both under the government but one did not approve project of the other. We changed that.
• So far 660 villages have been adopted under the Adarsh Gram Yojna.
• We have so far cleared 350 projects. Any new project proposal will be cleared within 60 days.
• We have ushered in good governance.
• UPA should first look into the mirror before accusing us – PM Modi
• In 2004, UPA had removed Cabinet Secretary soon after taking over. They had also removed Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary.
• We have not insulted bureaucrats and officers like you did. You even removed and humiliated Governors when you came to power – PM Modi to opposition
• The nation will benefit from gold circulation.
• Government is working for all sections of the society.
• I am new in this House. Please protect me, PM tells Chairman Hamid Ansari. House bursts into laughter.
• BSP chief Mayawati intervenes and says, “We are looking after the poor but in the private sector there is no reservations for people from the SC/ST. I want to ask the PM, are you going to ensure reservations for the SC/ST in the private sector to improve their cause?”
• These schemes belong neither to this government not to that government. These belong to the poor people.
• Housing for all? Who are the people who do not have houses? Are these corporate people?
• When we build toilets in schools, is this for corporates?
• Is Clean Ganga campaign for the corporates or the people living on the banks of the river.
• Cola mines are auctioned in states where populations continue to suffer from poverty. The money from coal auction will be used for their welfare.
• Soil Health card programme is for the farmers, for the poor.
• Is Jhan Dhan Yojna for the corporates? No, banks accounts of poor have been opened.
• Isn't Clean India campaign for the poor? Can we not provide basic cleanliness facilities to people? Is it for the corporates?
• Uproar in Rajya Sabha as PM lists names of schemes earlier renamed and relaunched by Congress governments.
• Congress followed NDA policies, only renamed policies formulated during Vajpayee ji's tenure
• I had said from Red Fort that every government, every PM, every state has helped in taking in India forward.
• We do not feel that just because we are in the treasury benches we know it all. Everyone has to work together.
• It is said that old schemes are being reworked. The issue is not about schemes but of problems which are old.
• Please don't put words into someone else's mouth.
• When I was in Gujarat, I was threatened daily that I would be sent to jail.
• In democracy, nobody's threats have ever worked nor will they ever do. This nation did not bend during the Emergency also.
• More than the party we belong to, it is about the state that we represent in this House: PM Narendra Modi in the Rajya Sabha.
• In the debate many members participated in great detail and I am thankful to them.