I shall present my report card on August 15, 2024, Modi tells the nation.
NEW DELHI, Aug 15 (The CONNECT) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the BJP’s election campaign from the Red Fort by listing his government’s achievements comparing with what happened 9 years ago and indirectly blasting the Congress leadership for dynastic rule, corruption and politics of appeasement.
“When I came in 2014, I came with a promise of change. In 2014. I made a promise to you that I will bring about change. And the 140 crore members of my family placed their trust in me, and I made every effort to fulfil that trust. The promise of Reform, Perform, Transform changed into belief because I had promised change. Through Reform, Perform, Transform, I have turned this promise into belief. I have worked tirelessly, I have worked for the country, I have worked with pride, and I have done it with the spirit of "Nation First." Based on my performance, you blessed me once again in 2019 and the promise of change brought me here. The next five years will be the years of unprecedented development. The next five years are the golden moments to realize the dream of 2047. And next time, on the 15th of August, from this very Red Fort, I will present to you the achievements of the country, your capabilities, the progress made by you, the successes achieved with even greater self-confidence,” he said in his narrative.
Modi claimed as a result of his government’s efforts, 13.5 crore poor people have broken free from the chains of poverty and entered the new middle class, during the first five years.
The PM saidthat the various schemes ranging from housing schemes, provision of 50,000 crore rupees to street vendors through the PM SVANidhi scheme, and many more such schemes have aided these 13.5 crore people to rise above the hardships of poverty.
He did not, however, refer to the Housing for All slogan that his government gave 9 years ago.
He briefly referred to Manipur crisis and said, in the last few days, we have been hearing continuous reports of peace, and the entire nation stands with the people of Manipur. The people of Manipur have maintained peace in the past few days, and they should continue to foster that peace, as it is the path to resolution. “Both the state and central governments are working together to find solutions to the issues and will continue to do so,” he said without elaborating on the efforts.
Modi said India has improved its world ranking from the 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 5th largest in 2023 today and this has happened due to fighting corruption, the stopping of leakages in transfer of government benefits and creation of a strong economy and spending of public money for the welfare of the poor.
“Today, I want to tell the countrymen that when the country is economically prosperous, it does not just fill the coffers; it builds the capability of the citizens and the nation. If there is a government that takes a pledge to spend this honestly for the welfare of its citizens, only then one achieves such rare progressive outcomes.”
Giving an account of the progress in the last 10 years, the PM said that the figures tell a compelling story of change. Asserting that the transformation is huge and a testament to the immense capability of the nation, the PM said that 10 years ago, 30 lakh crore rupees used to go to the states from the Government of India. In the last 9 years, this figure has reached 100 lakh crore, the PM pointed out. “Earlier, 70 thousand crore rupees were spent from the treasury of the Government of India for the development of local bodies, today it is more than 3 lakh crore rupees.”
The PM told the nation that earlier, 90 thousand crore rupees were spent to build the houses of the poor; today it has increased 4 times and more than 4 lakh crore rupees are being spent to build the houses of the poor. The PM informed that bags of urea which are sold at Rs. 3,000 in some global markets are being given to farmers at not more than 300 rupees. “The bags of urea that are sold for 3,000 rupees in some global markets, we provide to our farmers for 300 rupees, and hence the government is providing a subsidy of 10 lakh crore rupees on urea for our farmers.”
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A failed record: Congress
Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said in his tweet: PM Modi’s failures in the last 9 years can be categorised under durniti (bad policies), anyay (injustice) and badniyat (ill intention). Rhetoric and bluster can no longer cover up this truth which is now evident to the entire country. Our statement on his Independence Day speech.
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The PM explained that the MUDRA Yojana has enabled crore of citizens to become entrepreneurs and thus also be job creators for others. “The Mudra Yojana, with a budget of over 20 lakh crore rupees, has provided opportunities for self-employment, businesses, and ventures for the youth of our country. About eight crore people have started new businesses, and it's not just eight crore people who started their businesses; each entrepreneur has provided employment to one or two individuals. The capability to provide employment to 8-10 crore new individuals has been achieved through the Mudra Yojana availed by eight crore citizens.” The PM added that businesses too were supported during the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein MSMEs were supported with nearly 3.5 lakh crore rupees, preventing them from sinking and providing them strength.
The PM also recalled how the "One Rank One Pension" initiative brought the benefit of 70,000 crore rupees from India's treasury to our soldiers, as a tribute to them. The families of our retired soldiers have got this money, he said.
The PM underlined that these are just a few examples and that there are many more initiatives that have significantly contributed to the country's development, generating employment in various corners of the nation. The PM reminded the nation that compared to earlier years, the nation’s budget has been increased manifold across categories.
