Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said the central government is lacking of longer vision. While dedicating the institute of seismological research in Gandhinagar, the Chief Minister recalled how BJP led NDA government had given its nod to this institute in Gujarat, and how subsequent Congress led UPA government backtracked from the project.

“When Gujarat was hit by major earthquake in 2001 and responsibility of post-earth quake works was on my shoulder, I requested then Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee for setting up a Seismological institute in Gujarat, and the central government gave us assurance of providing Rs. 200 crore for this purpose, but it was unfortunate that subsequent government had opinion that this was not needed.”

“I told central government that fine if they didn’t want to do in Gujarat(because it is BJP ruled), but they could at least set up such institute somewhere else in the country if not in Gujarat, may be in Congress ruled state. However it is unfortunate that those in centre don’t have longer vision.”

“Here I am not giving a political comment. But I want to make a point that there’s strength in science, and that has to be recognized well. Our young boys are doing good research. They the youths involved in scientific research know that they are not going to get coverage in newspaper or magazine of their works, but they are working with great spirit because they know their hard work will serve the society. If this institute of seismology was set up by central govt, I could be happier. After the central govt escaped from this project, I had to make choice whether I should do this or drop the project, but it was God that asked me to go ahead with the project, and I have done it. The institute is here with the best facilities on ground to serve the nation and the world.”