Narendra Modi recalls Rajiv Gandhi’s words at Garib Kalyan Mela

Chief minister Narendra Modi may be a die-hard critic of the Nehru-Gandhi parivar, but on Saturday he made a positive reference to late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi to justify his Garib Kalyan Mela.

"Rajiv Gandhi once said that a rupee given by the centre for the poor reduces to fifteen paise by the time it reaches them. Why does this happen?  Who pockets this money? Any solution for this? My government was also worried about this and has found its solution in this on-going Garib Kalyan Mela," said CM who looked in high spirits while releasing financial assistance worth Rs80 crore to 73,000 beneficiaries directly to them.

Modi said that though the programme marked the completion of 3,000 days of his government, it was not celebrated with pomp and jubilation. He said this programme would last for 50 days at the rate of two such melas in a day in 25 districts.