The Centre on Sunday asserted fundamentals of the Indian economy are strong and there is no “panic situation” in the country. The BJP-led NDA Government which completed 100 days in office also said the Narendra Modi regime is “synonymous” with the national security, development and welfare of the poor besides being a “symbol of hope” for every section of the society.
While Union Minister Prakash Javadekar defended the economic slowdown and said it is a cyclical process sometimes and such a patch “will not hurt the country’s progress rate, Home Minister Amit Shah talked about security and administrative interests saying within a period of 100 days of Modi’s second tenure the Centre has taken several “historical decisions”.
Responding to questions on the economy, slowdown and unemployment at a Press conference to mark 100 days of the Modi Government, Javadekar said “world over, there is a slowdown which also impacts markets here and people’s behaviour changes”.
"Therefore, we should not be worried too much. The government is responding with whatever actions are immediately necessary. This is a temporary phase and not a direction of a real slowdown," said the Information and Broadcasting Minister.
The NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed 100 days after coming to power for a second consecutive term with a massive mandate.
The home minister said whether it was the decision to "remove Article 370, Article 35A from Jammu and Kashmir or to free Muslim women from the curse of Triple Talaq or strengthening nation's security apparatus by amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, all these historic decisions are a result of PM Modi's decisive leadership".
"I also assure all our countrymen that Modi government will leave no stone unturned for the development, welfare and security of our nation," Shah said.
Shah said the Modi goverment is a symbol of hope for every section of the society. "Within 100 days of Modi 2.0, PM Narendra Modi has taken several historic decisions, for which every Indian had been waiting since 70 years," he said.
Javadekar downplayed criticisms by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who said there was a glaring lack of leadership, direction and plans to turnaround the "ravaged economy".
"Those who are not to be seen in 90 out of 100 days, how can I react on their comment. Whether the government worked, the world has witnessed.
The prime minister's Independence Day speech, his speech to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in Parliament, laws which have been passed, the way things have changed and decisions implemented. This speed, the Congress had never witnessed. Therefore, I don't have to say anything on their comment," Javadekar said.
Javadekar who also hold the Environment portfolio said-India last year received a record Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) more than China. "Our domestic economy is on a strong footing and many new industries (are coming up), because of the good governance model and the rules, which have been changed for foreign investment. We are expecting there will be more and more foreign investment, and more and more domestic demand," he said.
He also said the income of the farmers will get doubled as per plan. "Employment is a function of the economy...
You used to file reports that there is no recruitment in universities. It was the decision of the court. Recruitment of 5,000 teachers and professors will be completed this month," the minister said, adding that a dynamic economy faces a problem and comes out with new answers.
To a question on the recent decision to merge banks, Javadekar said if mergers are carried out in a systematic way, it helps because there is synergy of expertise. "This a right step in right direction".