In his 90-minute address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday enumerated the achievements of his Government.
Comparing works done by previous Governments, the PM said today people are looking towards his Government with expectations.
He spoke about works done by his administration to facilitate people with Adhaar Card, lPG connectivity, power, solar energy, infrastructure, boost in the health sector, railways, GST and others.
In the longest ever speech made by any Prime Minister on I-Day celebrations, Modi said his Government is committed to achieve Swaraj.
“With Swaraj, we can improve quality of life and empower citizens. We have to march from self-governance to good governance. Previous Government was full of allegations, but today people are looking towards the Government with expectations,” said the PM.
Asking people to use lED bulb to save energy for future, he said, “lED bulb used to cost `350 (apiece) in India. At that price who will buy a lED bulb (over a conventional bulb). And the Government did not bother much about it. But if the lED bulb can change the life of people, environment and economy, the Government should also try to change its work culture. We did that and through Government intervention, the price of a `350 lED bulb has now been brought down to
`50,” he said.
Setting the target to distribute 77 crore bulbs as of now 13 crore bulbs have being sold. The PM said with this we can save 20,000 MW of electricity worth `1.25 lakh crore.
“Our Government is committed to provide electricity to the interior of the villages. Electricity has reached 10,000 villages out of 18,000 unelectricified villages,” said the PM.
Nearly, 21 crore people provided with Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme, he said, adding that in developing infrastructure, construction of rural roads have increased to 100 km a day from 70-75 km a day earlier.
For facilitating with lPG connectivity, Modi said over 4 crore people are provided with lPG connection in just 60 weeks whereas only 14 crore people had gas connection in past 60 years.
As country is reeling under inflation, PM assured that food plate is not affected due to price rise. Modi said his administration has put down inflation by 6 per cent. Since price of daal has increased terribly in the past few months, the PM said, “Sowing of pulses has increased 1.5 times this time and it will help solve problem of demand shortfall.”
The PM said 99.5 per cent of past dues of sugarcane farmers have been cleared and that 95 per cent of sugarcane sold this season has been paid to farmers.
To overcome agricultural finances, the PM said in the coming days about 90 shut irrigation schemes will be revived. “So far we have distributed 77,000 solar pumps to bring down input cost of farmers. We have an aim to double farmers’ income by 2022. With strategy ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’ we can bring the change and avoid populism,” he said.
The PM thanked all political parties for clarification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Parliament and said the GST will give strength to the economy. Modi spoke about delivery of services during his tenure.
“Today, in one minute, it’s possible to get 15,000 train tickets,” said the PM.