On rural development, MPs hearts may be full but during debate, Lok Sabha is empty
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24/04/2008
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Indian Express (New Delhi)
On rural development, MPs' hearts may be full but during debate, Lok Sabha is empty SEEMA CHISHTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 23: The Government plugs Bharat Nirman as the Nayi Azadi in TV spots during IPL matches, rides on the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act as its shining showpiece. All political parties, Left and Right, swear by the aam aadmi and the crying need for rural development. But going by the attendance in the Lok Sabha this evening when the House voted on the Ministry of Rural Development's demand for grants, the political establishment, obviously, has better things to do. So key social-sector schemes spanning employment and drinking water to sanitation and old-age pension were debated to empty benches. And when the debate