Taking a dig at the Congress-led UPA Government, BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that India has become a country of “underachievers” due to lack of planning and there was an urgent need now to create an environment of trust and confidence to bring the economy on the track.
While addressing as key-note speaker at the national executive committee meet of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in the Gujarat’s capital, Modi said UPA’s Central policies had failed to avail the advantage of the upbeat economic scenario at the beginning of the decade.
“We could have set the direction to take the economy to a great height, formulated the strategy and direction and ensured implementation and resource mobilisation right at the beginning of the 21st century. Today, India has become a country of underachievers,” said the Gujarat Chief Minister.
Private participation in sectors like defense and healthcare should be encouraged, he said while emphasising on giving importance to agriculture and services sector for higher growth rate.
The top BJP leader also stressed on bringing tax reforms and simplification of taxation structure for the growth of trade and industry
“Prime Minister likes to speak about ‘inclusive growth’. Until we build capacity among poor through education, how can it happenIJ He said adding that there is a need to make the common man a stakeholder in development. Country requires building more small-scale industries as the small things need to be looked at to bring overall development, he added.
Advocating on taking holistic approach for country’s natural resources he said that if we keep on exporting minerals, the country will not generate employment or development, instead focus has to be on value addition in our own country. “When we talk about growth, infrastructure comes in and that is dependent on the energy sector. Industries are shut because of shortage of fuel. Someone has to take responsibility. The reason of disappointment is that nobody takes responsibility here,” he said while blaming the UPA Government.