New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation once again through his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
With festive season approaching, the Prime Minister urged people to buy khadi and handloom.
“I had urged you all to buy some khadi and I am happy the sales have increased so much. This is realisation of Jan Shakti. I am again making an appeal for October 2, please buy some khadi and handloom. Even buy khadi and handloom during festivals,” Modi said.
Modi also urged people to register as voter and exercise their franchise. “Every voter is a Bhagya Vidhata of the nation.”
The remarks assumed significance as Bihar Assembly elections will begin on October 12.
On completion of one year, Modi thanked people for the overwhelming response and said, “My ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has become your ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in its true sense.”
Addressing the nation on the 12th edition of the radio programme on Sunday, Modi raised many issues and took up suggestions given by the people across the country.
“One year, a lot of conversation. I learnt a lot from you. Jan Shakti is very important in a democracy. ‘Mann Ki Baat’ showcased ‘samajh ki shakti’ (strength of the people in a society),” said Modi.
As his ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’ will complete a year on October 2, a child in his message to the Prime Minister asked him to get dustbins put up everywhere.
Modi also thanked people for giving up LPG subsidies as he ran ‘Give It Up’ campaign.
“Lakhs of families have given up their gas subsidies. These are not rich people. This is also a silent revolution,” Modi said.
A subsidised 14.2 kg cylinder is currently available at Rs 417 per bottle in Delhi while the 5 kg pack costs Rs 155. Market priced LPG is available at Rs 625.50 per 14.2 kg cylinder and Rs 220 per 5 kg bottle.
Earlier, the Election Commission on Friday gave the go-ahead to the airing of Modi’s ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme on Sunday, provided nothing is said that may be construed as inducement to voters or having an impact on poll-bound Bihar where model code of conduct is in force.
The Commission said it also has no objection to pre-broadcast publicity through different channels of AIR and Doordarshan.
“…the Commission has no objection to the broadcast of the programme ‘Mann ki Baat’ over All India Radio on September 20, 2015 and the pre-broadcast publicity through different channels of AIR and Doordarshan subject to the condition that nothing be said therein that may be construed as inducement to voters or as having any impact in election-bound state of Bihar where the Model Code of Conduct is in force from September 9 to November 12, 2015,” EC’s Principal Secretary K Ajaya Kumar said in the order addressed to I&B Ministry Special Secretary J S Mathur.
The programme was aired even during Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi Assembly polls. Congress had accused the PM of violating the model code in his October 3, 2014 episode. But the Commission “did not find anything” in the broadcast which constituted violation of the model code of conduct.