Agencies
MATHURA, MAY 25
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]rime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Sunday his government was committed to the welfare of the poor, launching the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) mega campaign to mark the NDA government’s one year in power.
“When I was elected as a leader I said this is a government dedicated to the cause of the poor,” Modi said at a rally in Mathura, close on the heels of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi dubbing his regime as a ‘suit-boot ki sarkar (read pro-corporate)’.Read: Rahul Gandhi takes on Modi govt over land bill, calls it ‘suit-boot ki sarkar’
Addressing the first of BJP’s 200 big rallies on NDA’s first anniversary, Modi said the people who looted India was afraid and triggering a hullabaloo. He, however, did not name anyone but raked up corruption in the UPA regime time and again.
Touching upon his election promise of ‘achche din (good days)’ in his speech, Modi said he did not guarantee ‘achche din’ for the people who looted the country.
“Last year, the coal scam was a burning issue. This year it is about auctions and money has been raised for states’ coffers,” Modi said.
Harping on his welfare pitch, the PM added, “The poor were not given the opportunity to enter banks for so many years. We opened bank accounts for the poor.”
“We want to create an environment where there is a sense of social security. We have introduced the Atal Pension Yojana...”
A considerable part of his speech was dedicated to farmers, in the backdrop of a proposed land bill by the Modi government triggering a political storm and rivals terming the piece of legislation anti-farmer.
“We are making efforts so farmers of the nation get adequate water, electricity and land,” Modi said.
At a time the issue of farmers’ suicide in the onslaught of poor rains have emerged as a talking point, Modi added, “Farmers’ suicide must not be politicised. We must look into why farmers are unhappy after 60 years of Independence.”
The PM also stressed quick decision-making and end the of policy paralysis in his regime, while highlighting several social security schemes launched by his government.
Reiterating his stand on an image makeover of the country, Modi said, “Now the world is trusting India and this is bringing investment.”
He said if India wanted to fight poverty, “the youth of the nation must get employment opportunities”.
Modi stressed “big corporates don’t generate a lot of employment” and talked about the role of small traders and businessmen.
Signing off with the vow to help the poor, he said by 2022, when India will complete 75 years of Independence, every pooor family will have its own house.
However, contrary to expectations, there was no announcement on the implementation of the “one rank one pension” scheme for retired personnel of the armed forces.
The scheme relates to the payment of a uniform pension to armed forces personnel who retire in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Congress on Monday blamed the NDA government of having flunked to keep its twin promises of good governance and bringing back black money stashed abroad.
“Modi Government lacks the economic vision, fiscal direction and financial astuteness to propel India on a growth trajectory. Even senior BJP leaders and NDA partners are criticising Centre’s policies,” senior Congress leader and MP Gaurav Gogoi told reporters here.The promise of retrieving black money from abroad is yet to be met, he said adding that sharp fall in international crude price has helped Modi government immensely as it contributed towards checking inflation to some extent.
Reminding that Narendra Modi came to power on promises of ‘Acchhe Din’, good governance, 10 per cent GDP growth and creation of 10 crore jobs in five years, Gogoi said the government’s performance in last one year has been dismal and disastrous.
Even senior BJP leader and Modi’s advisor, Arun Shourie has clearly adjudged the government as “lacking financial direction”, the AICC Spokesman said.
Claiming that corporate and industries are losing confidence in Modi magic, Gogoi said the ‘India Inc’ wants NDA government to deliver rather than indulging in rhetoric.
While growth in eight core industrial sectors is down to 3.5 per cent in 2014-15, lowest since 2009, the cement industry saw zero growth in December quarter with net profit slipping by 26 per cent, the Congress leader said. Exports have fallen by over 11 per cent in 2015 as compared to last year.
In March 2015, cement industry saw a reduction in output of 4.2 per cent, while engineering companies are witnessing zero increase in sales and real estate sector is experiencing negative growth, he elaborated.
Stating that industry is facing ‘tax terrorism’, Gogoi alleged unchecked socially divisive agenda being practised by BJP backed rightwing groups is sending wrong signal to investors.
Claiming that employment scene was in ruins, the Congress MP said wage growth has slowed to a paltry 3.8 per cent by end of 2014.
Job growth in key labour intensive sectors like textile including apparel, leather, metals, automobiles, gems and jewellery, transport, IT, handloom and powerloom is witnessing a declining trend, he said.
