Saturation Approach To Policy Coverage Is Secularism In Action: Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (1 February) presented the Interim Budget in the Parliament.

During her budget speech, the Finance Minister emphasised that the government's saturation approach to policy coverage is "secularism in action".

"Previously, social justice was mostly a political slogan. For our government, social justice is an effective and necessary governance model. The saturation approach of covering all eligible people is the true and comprehensive achievement of social justice," FM Sitharaman said.

"This is secularism in action, reduces corruption and prevents nepotism. There is transparency and assurance that benefits are delivered to all eligible people. The resources are distributed fairly. All regardless of their social standing get access to opportunities," she said.

"We are addressing systemic inequalities that had plagued our society. We focus on outcomes and not on outlays so that the social-economic transformation is achieved," the FM added.

Sitharaman's speech was in line with what PM Modi had said earlier on the "true secularism".

Earlier in May last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his government does not look at the religion or caste of beneficiaries while reaching out to them with various schemes, and added that true secularism is when there is no discrimination.

"I understand that true secularism is where there is no discrimination (of caste, creed or religion). For those who talk about social justice, I think there is no social justice greater than working for the happiness and convenience of all, for 100 per cent of their rights. Yes, this is the path on which we are walking," PM Modi had said.

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