The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi replied to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address to Parliament in Rajya Sabha today.
Addressing the House, the Prime Minister said that the 75th Republic Day is a significant milestone in the nation’s journey and the President during her address spoke about India’s self-confidence.
Prime Minister Modi underlined that in her address, the President expressed confidence about India’s bright future and acknowledged the capability of the citizens of India. He thanked the President for her inspirational address that provided guidance for the nation to accomplish the resolve of Viksit Bharat. PM Modi also thanked the Members of the House for a fruitful discussion on the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on the President's address.
“The President of India’s address emphasized India's burgeoning confidence, promising future and immense potential of its people”, the Prime Minister said.
Speaking regarding the atmosphere of the House, the Prime Minister remarked, “The opposition cannot suppress my voice, because the people of the country have given strength to this voice”. The Prime Minister recalled the time of leakages of public finance, ‘fragile five’ and ‘policy paralysis’, and said that the current government worked with great consideration to bring the country out of the earlier mess. “During the Congress government’s 10 years of rule, the entire world used words like ‘fragile five’ and policy paralysis for India. And in our 10 years - among the Top 5 economies. That is how the world talks about us today."
The Prime Minister also emphasized the government’s effort to remove the signs of colonial mentality which were ignored by the earlier governments. He listed new ensign for the defence forces, Kartavya path, renaming the Andaman Islands, abolition of colonial laws and promotion of the Indian language and many other such steps. The Prime Minister also mentioned the past inferiority complex about indigenous products, traditions and local values. He said all this is being addressed earnestly now.
Giving insights about the President’s address regarding the four most important castes namely Nari Shakti, Yuva Shakti, the poor and Anna Data, the Prime Minister reiterated that the development and progress of these four main pillars of India will lead to the nation becoming developed. The Prime Minister said that the 20th-century approach will not work if we want to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The Prime Minister also touched upon the rights and development of SC, ST and OBC communities and said that abrogation of Article 370 ensured that these communities get the same rights as the rest of the country in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, Forest Rights Act, Prevention of Atrocities Act, and domicile rights for Balmiki community in the state were also implemented only after the abrogation. He also mentioned the passing of the bill for OBC reservation in the local bodies of the state.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the steps to honour Baba Saheb and also pointed out the event of tribal women becoming the President of the nation. Speaking about the government policies for the welfare of the poor, Prime Minister Modi underlined prioritizing the development of the SC, ST, OBC and Tribal communities. He mentioned pucca houses, cleanliness campaigns to improve health, Ujjwala gas scheme, free ration and Ayushman Yojna to empower these communities. He also mentioned that in the last 10 years, scholarships for SC and ST students were increased, enrollment numbers in school rose, dropout rates were reduced significantly, a new Central Tribal University was established taking the number from 1 to 2 and the number of Eklavya Model Schools increased from 120 to 400. He informed that enrolment of SC students in higher education has increased by 44 percent, ST students’ enrolment by 65 percent and OBC enrollment went up by 45 percent.
“Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is not just a slogan, it is Modi’s guarantee”, PM Modi exclaimed. The Prime Minister cautioned against spreading a mood of despair based on a false narrative. The Prime Minister further added that he was born in an independent India and his thoughts and dreams are independent leaving no room for a colonial mindset in the nation.
The Prime Minister said as opposed to the earlier mess of the public sector enterprises, now enterprises like BSNL are leading roll out of 4G and 5G, HAL is doing record manufacturing and Asia’s largest Helicopter Factory is HAL in Karnataka. LIC too is thriving with record share prices. PM Modi informed the House that the number of PSUs in the country increased from 234 in 2014 to 254 today, and most of them are giving record returns drawing the attention of investors. He further added that the PSU Index in the country has witnessed a two-fold rise within the last year. In the last 10 years, PSU’s net profit saw an increase from Rs 1.25 lakh crore between 2004 and 2014 to Rs 2.50 lakh crore, and the net value of PSUs increased from Rs 9.5 lakh crore to Rs 17 lakh crore.
The Prime Minister said that he understands regional aspirations well as he has passed through the process as a Chief Minister of a state. PM Modi reiterated the mantra of ‘States development for Country’s development’. He gave assurance that full support will be provided by the center for the development of the states. Emphasizing the importance of healthy competition for development among the states, the Prime Minister called for competitive cooperative federalism.
Throwing light on the challenges of the once-in-a-lifetime Covid Pandemic, PM Modi recalled chairing 20 meetings with Chief Ministers of all states and credited the entire machinery for tackling the challenge head-on.
He also mentioned spreading the exposure and glory of G20 to all the states as events were organized all over the country. He also pointed out his practice of taking foreign dignitaries to different states.
Continuing with the role of the states, the Prime Minister gave credit to the states for the success of the Aspirational District Programme. “The design of our programme takes the states along and is for taking the nations forward collectively”, he said.
Drawing an analogy to the functioning of the nation with that of the human body, the Prime Minister reiterated that even if one State remains deprived and underdeveloped, the nation cannot be considered developed similar to how a non-functioning body part affects the entire body.
The Prime Minister said that the direction of the nation's policies is towards ensuring basic facilities for all and raising the standards of living. In the coming days, our focus will be going beyond ease of living to improving quality of life, he said. He stressed his resolve to provide new opportunities to the neo-middle class that has just come out of poverty. “We will provide more strength to the ‘Modi Kavach’ of Social Justice”, he added.
Highlighting the government’s support for those who have arisen out of poverty, PM Modi declared that the free ration scheme, Ayushman scheme, 80 percent discounts on medicines, PM Samman Nidhi for farmers, pucca houses for the poor, tapped water connections and construction of new toilets will continue at a fast pace. “Modi 3.0 will leave no stone unturned to strengthen the foundations of Viksit Bharat”, he said.
The Prime Minister said that strides in the medical infrastructure will continue in the next 5 years and medical treatment will be more affordable, every house will have piped water, saturation of PM Awas will be achieved, electricity bills will become zero for crores of houses due to solar power, piped cooking gas in the entire country, startups will increase, patent filing will break new records. PM Modi assured the House that in the next 5 years, the world will witness the capabilities of Indian youth in every international sporting competition, public transport system will be transformed, Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign will attain new heights, Made In India semiconductors and electronics will dominate the world, and the country will work towards reducing energy dependence on other countries. He also mentioned the push towards green hydrogen and ethanol blending. PM Modi also reaffirmed India’s belief in becoming Atmanirbhar in edible oil production.
Continuing with the vision of the next 5 years, the Prime Minister talked of the promotion of natural farming and millet as superfood. Drone use in agriculture will see a new increase. Similarly, the use of nano urea cooperative is being promoted as a people's movement. He also talked of new records in fisheries and animal husbandry.
Prime Minister Modi also drew attention to the tourism sector becoming a huge source of employment in the next 5 years. He underlined the capability of many states in the country to drive their economy solely by tourism. “India is going to become a massive tourist destination for the world”, he added
The Prime Minister also highlighted the strides in the field of Digital India and Fintech and said that the next 5 years present a positive future for India’s digital economy. “Digital services will further India’s progress”, he added. “I have full faith that our scientists will take us to new heights in the field of space technology”, the Prime Minister said.
Talking about the transformation of the grassroots economy, the Prime Minister mentioned Self Help Groups. He said, “3 crore lakhpati didis will write a new script of women empowerment.” “By 2047, India will re-live its golden period”, the Prime Minister said underlining the government’s commitment to Viksit Bharat.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister thanked the Rajya Sabha Chairman for the opportunity to present the facts before the House and the nation and also thanked the President of India for her inspirational address.
