Kicking off the Vikas Parv following completion of two years of BJP-led NDA Government, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken India to a new high where every resident can proudly say that he is an Indian.
“Since Modi has come to power Indians across the globe can proudly say that he is an Indian. This is because of Prime Minister’s statesmanship. He not only won praise from world leaders but also from the poor and downtrodden who have been brought under main stream,” Jaitley said while addressing party workers in a meeting held here on Friday.
He talked at length about the progress of country in economic and social sector. He spoke about the surface transport ministry and progress country has made in power sector. “By next two years every corner of the country will be electrified. The NDA government is progressing very fast and we hope to meet the target soon,” he said adding that by 2022 every Indian will have a house of his own..
About surface transport he said the cities have expanded in last few decades. Government knows the need to have rapid transport system. Besides, the aviation department has plans to set up 25 new airports by the end of this fiscal, the minister said.
On this occasion he did not miss the opportunity to hit out at Congress saying that it has been reduced to just one family party. “This party is destined to doom because it does not have leadership of Jwahara lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi,” he said.
Jaitley said that NDA has provided corruption-free and transparent governance. This is in contrast to the crony capitalism and spate of financial scams that rocked UPA Government. The focus of Modi government is transparent, corruption-free governance, marked by focused and swift decision-making, “ he said.
He said that in financial sector Government’s achievements include controlling the current account and fiscal deficit. The inflation has declined giving everyone some space to maneouvre,” jaitley said.
Jaitley said that a lot of structural changes and reforms have taken place in last two years. “What we have noticed between 2014 and 2016 is very significant. Before NDA came to power India was off the global radar and investors were shunning us. The country’s leadership at that time was indecisive. But last two years of NDA regime has seen transformation from policy paralysis to the fastest growing economy in the world,” the finance minister said.
Elaborating on the global scenario he said that global meltdown and bad monsoon had a bad impact on economy. We were able to tide it over through increase in FDI and through introduction of structural reforms, he said.
He told party workers that there was no opposition ot NDA Government at the ground level. There is much noise in the TV channels and media but actually the opposition in the ground level is very less, he said.
In his interaction with the party workers he knew what questions the workers could expect during their interaction with people. “People may ask you Modi government’s commitment to open job market. Tell them because of global meltdown and in the absence of demand the capacity of expansion is not there. Thus, there is no job. But NDA government found an alternative through Mudra banking. We have empowered youth to not only start their business but also give job to some youth in their units,” he said.
“India would witness a complete transformation once GST is passed. The NDA Government is committed to implement GST. We want it through consensus and if we fail to get that, other constitutional options are there before us,” he said and added: “The day GST bill will be passed our growth rate will increase by 1.5 to 2 per cent”.
Union Minister of State for HRD Upendra Kushwaha and national vice-president of the party Prabhat Jha also spoke on this occasion.
On Friday three more Union Ministers addressed party workers during Vikas parv. Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani addressed party workers in Gorakhpur, Union Health Minister JP Nadda in Varanasi, Union Food Porcessing Minister Harsimarat Maan in Agra.