Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines Shri Piyush Goyal brought in an extra energy to the grand three-year celebrations of Shri Narenda Modi”s Government by addressing a number of meetings in Bengaluru ; interacting with the media and also participating in a number of social activities. Besides planting saplings and participating in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Shri Goyal also spent fruitful time at a Dalit colony. Following are the excerpts from an exclusive interview of Shri Piyush Goyal with Organiser Correspondent Guru Prasad on the three-year achievements of Shri Narendra Modi-led NDA Government and the way forward.
How is Modi-led NDA Government different from the previous regimes?
The Narendra Modi-led NDA Government has been one of the best Governments in the history of India. In a short span of three years, the Government has done so much which the previous Congress Governments couldn”t do in the past decades or so. In this tenure of 36 months, I can go on listing the achievements; for example, the Government was bold enough to conduct a Surgical Strike in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and give out a clear message that it will not tolerate infiltration or cross border terrorism. On the economic front, only a bold PM like Modiji could have attempted a great move like demonetisation. The list also includes approving the one rank one pension scheme. PM Shri Modi should be credited for solving the Indo-Bangla Border dispute. Another milestone is the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST). In fact, the Government could get the consensus for GST from even the Opposition parties.
What are the new strategies brought in by your Government?
The previous Governments were following top to down approach which had not yielded desired results. So, we have followed the revolutionary bottom up approach. For example, I can quote a former PM saying that if the Centre approves Rs 100 for a scheme, only Rs 15 would reach the real beneficiaries. However, today, we can proudly say that if Rs 100 is approved by Modiji led Government, the entire Rs 100 is reaching the real beneficiaries. Our Government is empowering the poor of this country through various schemes and rural areas are greatly benefited. We are happy that our schemes are already reached the poorest of poor. We are sure to achieve another dream project-housing for all by 2022 where every citizen will have access to shelter, electricity, toilet, water and road etc.
What is the mantra of your Government?
Our mantra is to reform the economy. We have taken a number of steps. Our idea of reform is to take everyone aboard and serve even the poor. So, if you look at our reforms, they are not insensitive. In fact, every reform of ours is reaching out to the relevant groups. Our mantra is quite simple— Perform, Reform and Transform. I can proudly say that this Government is for the poor, of the poor and by the poor.
How effectively the reforms have been reaching the grass roots?
We have been promoting digital transactions big time. In fact, we wanted even a common man to use the digital platform and this is the reason why we introduced Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app. The app named after Babasaheb BR Ambedkar has become so popular that it has seen more than two crore downloads. We believe in Nari Shakti and reaching out to every woman. Under Mudra Yojana, we have disbursed loans to the tune of Rs three lakh crore and I am happy to say that out of this, 70 per cent of beneficiaries are women.
How best do you think the Government policies are reaching the poor?
Till now, our Government has provided 2 crore and 15 lakh LPG cylinders across the country. By providing LPG cylinders, we are not only helping them to cook better but also save these women from potential health hazards. A large section of women were depended on fire wood since they had no LPG cylinders. Fire wood is not just cause of air pollution but also emits smoke equivalent to 400 cigarettes. We are reaching out to the poorest of poor through the LPG cylinders under the UJWALA scheme.
Do you think your Government is also a voice for Indians staying overseas?
Modiji’s Government is not just for those Indians who are staying in India but even for those who are overseas. For example, we are always extending a helping hand whenever an Indian is in trouble abroad. I can list out examples like the Yemen crisis or Libyan Civil War. Whenever a fisherman in Tamil Nadu is affected, we are always there for help. Similarly, in the recent Kulbhushan Jadhav issue; we have taken up the matter to the highest level and trying our best to get justice.
Are you happy with the India”s growth rate?
Our economic policies are already reaping fruits. Inflation which was in double digits has come down to less than four per cent today. During the previous Governments, our fiscal deficit was in a terrible shape but today, we have narrowed down the gap. We have plugged leakages in subsidies. The broken economy has been repaired and in the last three years and we have been able to stabilise our economy. The country”s growth which had dipped to four per cent has now been heading towards seven per cent and in the comings years, it will further go up. While global economies are collapsing, our economy is growing strong. Recently, I heard a European saying that their country had achieved a remarkable growth of one per cent and if you look at our economy it is growing at seven per cent plus. All these developments on the economic front have been possible because of the charismatic leadership of Modiji. India has also emerged as a leader in space technology. Recently, ISRO launched 104 satellites at one go. We have also launched a South Asian Satellite (GSAT9). Our Mars Mission is a grand success and we are sure to do spectacular things in coming years in space technology.
What steps have been taken by Government in the farming sector?
Farmers are the backbone of our country. We believe that only if farmers are prosperous, then India can prosper. So, we have taken up landmark policies in the field of agriculture. We are sure that the farmers” income will double by 2022. The PM’s Fasal Bima Yojana provides 100 per cent compensation to the farmers and thus we are saving them from the misery of crop loans. In the previous Governments, the farmers were eligible only if the crop loss was more than 50 per cent. However, Modiji has ensured that a farmer gets compensation even if the crop loss is 33 per cent. We will increase the cover soon. We have distributed soil health cards to six crore farmers. This will help in better utilisation of fertilisers. We are proud to say that there is not even a single day when we found shortage of fertilisers. I have to compliment Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar for promoting neem coated urea. This is a revolutionary step as we could save the fertilisers meant for farmers from going to industries. The neem coating has also increased productivity and lessened the cost. We have also increased the minimum support prices. We have started 2.25 lakh common service centres where farmers are trained on various farm related issues. We have also been connecting all mandis so that a farmer knows before hand as to where he can get the best price for his produce. We are also disseminating weather information to the farmers so that they can plan their sowing. We have been able to utilise the MNREGA wherein we are creating small ponds in rural areas. These ponds are so water efficient that even if it rains for three days, the collected water would be sufficient for a year.
Can you describe the programmes taken up to empower youth?
We want to create an India of job creators and not mere job seekers. We have been able to provide skill development training, offer loans and empower people to become self reliant. Thanks to our policies, efforts and encouragement, we are creating a new set of entrepreneurs who will be the driving force of our country. Our ambitious programme—Yuva Shakti is harnessing the youth power for a New India tomorrow. We are focussing on skill development and as of today, more than 22 lakh youths have received self skill development training. Under Mudra Yojana, we are providing a loan of Rs 10 lakh at a lower interest rate. This is promoting entrepreneurial activities among the youth in a big way. Our programmes are helping millions of people in becoming entrepreneurs through Start-Up India to Stand-Up India and Skill India.
How is the Government tackling corruption?
Another highlight of Modiji’s Government is that our government is incorruptible. In the last three years, there is not even a single scam or allegation as we have been maintaining highest standards of transparency and efficiency. All procurements and contracts are done through e-procurement. PM says that a new India, which is dream of our youth, is taking shape. The New India will be prosperous, it will be a land for equal opportunity and no discrimination.
What are the strategies adopted by Centre to bring peace in Kashmir?
We have been taking effective steps to curb militancy in Kashmir. Today, Kashmir is largely peaceful. As we have been taking harsh steps to tackle terrorism, Pakistan is trying every means to derail our plans but they are not successful. I can give you a recent example where the GST council met in Srinagar and there was absolutely no problem. Our armed forces are dealing with the issue and Centre is committed in bringing peace. In fact, the number of terrorists killed, the number of terror modules busted during our Government is the highest when compared to any previous regime.
It is said that CBI searches at Prannoy Roy’s residence were a political vendetta. What’s your view?
NDTV promoter Prannoy Roy and his company should face investigation in connection with the alleged loss caused to a private bank. Nobody enjoys immunity from being probed. I don’t think anybody should shy away from investigation.
Will the Qatar crisis affect India?
Four Arab nations — Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — have announced that they would withdraw their diplomatic staff from Qatar, a gas-rich country and world’s top seller of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). They have accused Qatar of supporting extremism. The blockade of Qatar by Saudi and other countries is an internal diplomatic issue between those countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. India does not have any view and does not take any sides in this matter. We believe in good harmonious relations with all countries with which India has diplomatic ties. All I can say is that India won”t be affected by this crisis in anyway.
Are states cooperating with the Centre on development?
The Centre has not discriminated any State for all these three years. BJP believes in inclusive economic social agenda. We have treated all the states on equal footing. Equality and uniformity have been the hall mark of our functioning. We want every State to prosper. We stand for wholesome development of the country. I can give you the instance to prove that the Centre has not discrimination between any State. Six coal blocks that are located in Maharashtra were allotted to Karnataka on the basis of auction. I come from Maharashtra and I could have favoured Maharashtra where the ruling party is BJP. However, I saw that the coal blocks were allotted to Karnataka which is ruled by the Congress. I did this because I didn’t want the
thermal plants in Karnataka to stop functioning for want of coal.
How would you sum up three-year tenure of Shri Modi’s Government?
The Modiji led Government is performing extremely well in all walks of life. India has demonstrated its prowess in the field of defence. There has been a qualitative change in the field of agriculture, irrigation, energy and infrastructural development. After three years, we can see the Brand India is rising rapidly. The world is taking a note of India’s progress and development.
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