Panaji: Activists who stop power plants, coal mining and projects like dams do not help in removing poverty from the country, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Sunday.
"There is nothing more important than removing poverty from the country. I want to ask people who protest whether their action results in removing poverty?" Chidambaram said during an interview at 'ThinkFest' event in Goa.
"Poverty is the greatest polluter and a curse. There is no merit in argument that people remain poor," he said, adding that "I take suspicious view of the people who stop power plant, coal mining and projects like small or big dams."
The people suggesting alternative ways of development should come forward and be a part of the elected government, he said.
"I don't accept that I am the most intelligent person to design alternative. The only way is to come into elected government. You can't hide behind the smokescreen of rhetoric," he said.
Responding to a question, the Union minister said that statements that government does not take people into confidence are sweeping statements.
"These are sweeping statements. I do it (take people into confidence) everyday. We of course listen to the people," Chidambaram stressed.
He claimed that "most intensive debate in the Cabinet has been taking place in last 3-4 years."
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