Identifying the maze-like legal system of the country as a hurdle to progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated that his government is committed to clearing the “Kanoon Jungle” (jungle of laws). “We have already set up a special committee to review laws. If the nation has to be brought back on the development track then it is essential that the legal tentacles causing obstacles must be removed,” Prime Minister Modi said, while addressing BJP workers in the course of his first visit to Bangalore since becoming Prime Minister in May this year. Modi also said the “Kanoon Jungle” was the legacy of previous governments who kept legislating in the name of development. “What is the relevance of laws that are barely implemented? 150-year-old laws exist today with new laws on the same subject. As a result there is ambiguity. Governance is weak and there is poor delivery of administration. Governments cite laws as per their convenience,” Modi said. “We have five to 10 laws on one single issue and one interprets it the way he wants and stops work. There should be speed and direction to work,’’ he said. Stressing on the need for an image makeover for the country, Prime Minister Modi also reiterated a call for a nationwide cleanliness drive. “We are impressed by the cleanliness in places like Dubai, Singapore but why can’t our country achieve the same?’’ he asked. Modi said every individual must dedicate 100 hours every year for the cause of cleanliness in his neighbourhood. The Prime Minister said that to mark Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, he will launch a cleanliness drive in the ministries in Delhi by taking up a broom himself.
