-E Rajesh Pathak
PM Narendra Modi once said, “I led emphasis on replacing conventional electric bulbs with LED, which consumes far less electricity. Under this drive, the work in 1/5th of selected 100 cities has been completed. 21,500 megawatt of electricity will be saved once in all these cities LED bulbs to come into use.”
PM Narendra Modi has presented 10-point action plan to promote solar energy
At first sight, this revelation might appear to be of not so much importance. But, if given little deeper thought, its long-term effects could be well understood. And, the list of this kind of works done by Narendra Modi is very long. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Changing Business
It is true that it has been very difficult to run own business in India. But now many steps have been taken to improve the things- such as the amendments in export-import form. Full of so many terms and conditions, once they consisted of 11 and seven pages respectively. Many of the applicants had to give up mid-way, disgusted with keep fulfilling them [terms and conditions]. But now these pages have reduced to 3 numbers, and all the approvals have been made possible through online.
Worn-out labour laws, all the more, only encouraged inefficiency, which culminated into slowing down the economic progress. Means, the cause of harassment to those running their industries such 44 industrial acts has been identified and amended thereof. The restriction imposed on the working of women in the night-shift has also been lifted. One thing which had been least relied upon during 60 years of Congress rule then it was our traditional swadeshi [indigenous] knowledge.
Making breakthrough the Central Govt., for instance, formed a separate Ministry of ‘Ayush’, which included along with the yoga all the other Indian based medical therapies. See, what leading magazine of the country, India Today, says regarding this-‘From surgery to the treatment of deadly diseases like cancer is recorded in Ayurveda. Wherever Prime Minister, Modi, went in the world he struck the deals to promote traditional Indian medicines, and, as also, started Ayush information centre in Indian embassies there.’
Transportation and Infrastructure
Before NDA Govt came to power the cost of transportation was 14 per cent of the cost of the product, now that came down to as low as 8 per cent. And the reason behind this has been the fast development of means of conveyance. Today the rate of building of the national highways has gone up to 27 KM per day, which had been in UPA rule just 14 KM per day. Likewise, from 2009 to 14 in five years in all 7,600 KM of railway tracks were laid, whereas in four years between 2014-2018 as long as 9,528 KM of railway track has been laid. So also, till 2013-2014 56 per cent villages were approached with developed roads, while now the numbers of such roads have increased to 82 per cent.
The one thing for which Modi would always be remembered is unprecedented initiatives that he took in the field of Akshay-urja [non-degradable energy]. Today in India the total capacity of electricity received through wind energy is 19,000 megawatt, out of which contribution of Gujarat alone is 3,147 megawatt. See, what world-renowned energy specialist, Narendra Taneja, says on this matter-‘The era of Akshay-urja [solar, wind] in India began two years back. In 2014 the production of solar energy was 3,000 megawatt, in which Gujarat had the share of more than 1,000 megawatts. Today its production has increased to 6,000 megawatts.
Developing country is taking inspiration from India. Solar tariff, which once had been 12 to 16 rupees, has been decreased to 4.50 rupees. It is due to the initiatives so taken in the field of Akshay-urja in last two years that India would be self-reliant in energy in coming decades, and its dependence on imported oil would come to an end. It seems that Central govt is thinking to make India a global hub of Akshay-urja. For that required components, education and infrastructure are being developed. The target is set to produce 1.75 lacs megawatt of electricity from Akshay-urja till 2022.’
