Udupi: District in-charge minister Laxmi Hebbalkar Saturday said the Union govt must explain what it has done instead of repeatedly telling people what not to do.Speaking to reporters here, the minister for women and child development said, “If Prime Minister Modi asks us to ring bells, we do it. He asked us to clap, and we clapped. If he says don’t use too much petrol and diesel, we follow it. If he says do not buy gold, we stop buying it. We are ready to observe limits for the sake of the nation. But who is responsible for creating such a situation? It has become a situation of constantly telling people what to do and what not to do. But shouldn’t they also explain what they themselves are doing and what precautionary measures they are taking?”Referring to the PM’s recent remarks on gold purchases, she said, “He has been making various statements. But we are also seeing in the media how America is controlling our Prime Minister. We all know what [US] president Donald Trump has been saying about India,” she said sarcastically.On the recent fuel price hike, Hebbalkar alleged that petrol and diesel prices were increased immediately after the elections. “This is complete politics. There has not been any major rise in crude oil prices internationally now. We know how much crude oil prices had risen during the govt of Manmohan Singh. Even then, the burden was not passed on to the people. But now, they have suddenly increased prices by Rs 3 and burdened the public,” she said.On hijab row: ‘Politics should not be brought into education’In response to a question about the hijab controversy, she said politics should not be brought into education. “Children are innocent, and parents send them to school to study. Instead of debating such issues excessively, a healthy atmosphere should be fostered, with students’ futures in mind. We should not play with their future. I do not wish to speak about hijab or any such issue,” she said.On CM change, cabinet expansion: ‘Decision with high command’On speculation about a change of chief minister and cabinet expansion, Hebbalkar said, “All those decisions are up to the party high command. We are disciplined workers of the party and will not comment on it.”Denying allegations that money was collected from anganwadis in Bagalkot, she said, “No money has been collected from any anganwadi. If anyone has collected money in such a manner, strict action will be taken against them without hesitation. An inquiry will be held.”
