2G scam, coal scam are money trees for Cong: Narendra Modi

In a vitriolic counter to the PM’s ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’ remark during his address to the nation on Friday, chief minister Narendra Modi Saturday said, “2G and coal scam have become money trees for the Congress.”

“How can a great economist like him try to convince the people in such a language? PMji, people of this country know money doesn’t grow on trees,” he said, while addressing a gathering at Vivekanand Yuva Parishad in the tribal district of Dahod.

“I am directly alleging that Congress party has made 2G spectrum and Coalgate their money trees and it’s ruining our country,” he said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had in his address to the nation made an appeal while explaining the reasons behind the decisions to hike diesel price and allow FDI in retail. He had said, “Money doesn’t grow on trees. If we had not acted, it would have meant a higher fiscal deficit.”

The chief minister also announced irrigation projects worth Rs 3,325 crore in the tribal belt of Vadodara, Panchmahals and Dahod districts. Under the project, the government will lay a 663 km-long pipeline to provide Narmada water and enable irrigation and scientific farming in about two lakh acres of land in these areas.

He also announced setting up of a construction training institute in the area.

Meanwhile, Modi is set to travel to Saurashtra this weekend. He will cover a total of 272 km and visit 10 assembly constituencies as part of Vivekananda Yuva Vikas Yatra on September 23 and 24.

After addressing Vivakanand Yuva Parishad at Patan on September 23, Modi will join the yatra from Limdi on Sunday afternoon. It will pass through four districts, including Ahmedabad, Surendranagar, Bhavnagar and Amreli.

Modi is also slated to travel to Surat to attend a youth conference. After addressing the public at Dhoraji, Modi will travel to Surat to attend a youth conference.