Nirmala Sitharaman To “Act Of God” Remark Critics: This Condescension

“I like this condescension,” Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned in an obvious dig on the Opposition (File)

New Delhi:

Taking on critics, Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday mentioned a “simple woman finance minister saying Act of God is taken sarcastically” whereas latin phrase “force majeure” is nicely accepted.

Speaking in Lok Sabha, Ms Sitharaman — who can be the nation’s first lady finance minister — mentioned her comment is being criticised additionally as a result of she “looks like a neighbourhood aunty” and asserted that twisting her remark is irresponsible.

On August 27, she mentioned the financial system has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is an “Act of God”, and it’ll see a contraction within the present fiscal. Her remark has been criticised by numerous political events.

“Many people spoke on GST compensation issue (and) my statement of Act of God was referred several times. I happy for that. People like using latin expression of force majeure, for expressing extraordinary situation. But simple woman finance minister saying Act of God is taken sarcastically. What is this sir?,” she mentioned whereas replying to the talk on the primary batch of supplementary calls for for grants for 2020-21.

Noting that power majeure within the court docket for shoppers could be very nicely however not “Act of God”, she mentioned, “because this woman, who is minister, looks like neighbourhood aunty. So, how can she ever say this”.

“I like this condescension,” she mentioned in an obvious dig on the Opposition.

Defending her comment on GST compensation to the states, Ms Sitharaman mentioned that to twist what she has mentioned to “say the Centre is reneging its responsibility is absolutely irresponsible comment towards a responsible government which is being led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.

“I am ready to listen your suggestions but not sarcasm. Tell me one state government, which can tell me, no no we will manage it (current situation due to COVID-19),” she mentioned.

Referring to the present tensions between India and China at jap Ladakh, the finance minister mentioned that she doesn’t wish to converse intimately concerning the nationwide safety problem however regardless of the Ladakh scenario, the federal government is just not chopping down on devolution of taxes to the states.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)