Greed for power overrode national interest under previous govt, destroyed banking system: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that greed for power overrode national interest during the UPA government, wreaking havoc on the banking sector, but his dispensation has nursed it back to good financial health.
Addressing a Rozgar Mela, Modi took an apparent swipe at the Gandhi family, saying a few powerful politicians close to a particular family would get loans of thousands of crores of rupees to their favourites by calling up banks and those loans were never meant to be returned.
He said that the "phone banking" scam was one of the biggest scams of the previous government as it broke the back of the banking system.
Phone banking may be a common practise now but its idea was different for the government which was there nine years ago as it was not meant for the common citizen, Modi said.
He also said that India is now among the countries with the strongest banking sectors following a series of measures taken by his government.
Addressing a gathering of recruits after giving appointment letters to over 70,000 of them virtually, Modi noted that a large number of them have been employed in the banking sector as he highlighted how it was "destroyed" under the previous Congress-led dispensation before his government took corrective measures.
The UPA was in power during 2004-14.
His government, Modi asserted, took several measures, including strengthening the management of banks, merging small banks and injecting professionalism, to help the sector.
Public sector banks were earlier known for losses running into thousands of crores of rupees and non-performing assets (NPAs), but now they are known for record profits, the prime minister said.
He also praised banking sector employees for their hardwork and commitment to serve people and execute various government schemes to help the poor and unorganised sectors through loans under the 'Mudra' scheme and to support women self-help groups.
Modi said India has emerged as a centre of global trust and attraction and added that the country has to make full use of it. Opportunities are increasing in various fields, he said.
India is now counted among the countries with the strongest banking sector, he said, adding that it was not the case nine years back.
"There are many examples of the destruction which is caused when the greed for power overrides national interest. Our banking sector has suffered this destruction under the previous government," he told the young recruits.
Loans given to favourites were never really repaid during those times and one loan was sanctioned after another to clear previous dues on paper, Modi said.
By laws like the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, banks were protected from NPAs while tough action against those accused of swindling banks, including attachments of their properties, was also taken, he said.
Modi said his government has also insured bank deposits up to Rs 5 lakh, ensuring the safety of more than 99 per cent of account holders.
Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said it is not only a memorable day for the young recruits but also a historic day for the nation as today marks the day when the 'Tiranga' was adopted in its current form by the Constituent Assembly for the first time in 1947.
Noting that the next 25 years are crucial for the recruits and the nation as it charts its path to become a developed country, he highlighted the rise of India from the 10th largest global economy to the 5th largest under his government.
Most experts are of the view that India will become the third biggest economy in a few years and it will be a monumental achievement, he added.
It will give rise to employment opportunities in every sector and also boost the income of the common citizens, Modi said.
He cited a recent NITI Aayog report that said 13 crore Indians were brought above the poverty line in the last five years and lauded the hardwork of government servants in implementing welfare measures such as building pucca houses and toilets, opening Jan Dhan accounts and providing electricity connections to the poor.
"This success shows if we increase the efforts to remove poverty from India, then it can be completely eliminated . And certainly, every government employee has a big role in this," he said.
Modi said the expansion of the neo-middle class is creating new job opportunities, with their growing demand and aspirations driving the manufacturing sector.
With the percentage of ageing population rising and of working age population declining in many country, the world is looking at India's talent, he said, highlighting new opportunities for its young citizens.
His government has focussed on skill upgradation of the young population, with the number of professional education institutes rising.
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India's neighbours wanted to break up Assam but Modi govt shattered their dreams: Fadnavis
Dibrugarh/Jorhat (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed India's neighbours wanted to "break up" Assam by taking advantage of the unrest here earlier, but their "dreams were shattered" as the Narendra Modi government brought peace to the region.
Militancy has come to an end, and 92 per cent of the assurances made in the peace agreements with various groups have already been implemented, he told a poll rally.
Fadnavis maintained that the BJP-led government in Assam has not only ensured the state's development but also protected its identity.
He accused the Congress of having neglected the state and the northeastern region by adopting a "step-motherly attitude" towards them, while Modi has put the region at the centre of development.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP's Dibrugarh candidate Prasanta Phukan, Fadnavis said, "Due to the unrest in the state earlier, neighbouring countries thought they would break Assam someday. But their dreams were shattered by Modi ji, and Assam is progressing fast today."
Crediting the BJP government for bringing the militant groups to the mainstream, the Maharashtra chief minister said not only were peace accords signed with them, but 92 per cent of the assurances made have been implemented.
"Work is on for implementing the remaining eight per cent of promises also," he added.
Highlighting the various welfare measures of the state government, Fadnavis said special emphasis was being given on women's empowerment in line with the Centre's thrust on it.
"Women have benefited the most under Modiji's government. It will be 'Mahila raaj' from 2029 when 33 per cent reservation is implemented in Parliament and state Assemblies," he added.
Speaking at another rally in support of the BJP's Jorhat candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami earlier, the Maharashtra chief minister alleged that infiltration was at its peak in Assam under Congress governments.
"People had to launch a movement against it, and scores were martyred. But the influx did not stop, and the state was burning. It was staring at a full demographic change."
"But the situation changed when Modi came to power. Infiltration has been stopped, and almost all militant groups in the state are returning to the mainstream," he claimed.
Fadnavis claimed that the state's demography would have changed and Assam's history would have been rewritten under the Congress rule.
"But the Modi government works not just for development, but also protects the state's identity, culture, history, and tradition," he said.
He told the gathering that the BJP-led government has ensured massive infrastructure development for the state.
Mentioning the Tata Group's semiconductor unit at Jagiroad, Fadnavis said, "It is a gift of Modi ji to Assam. It will place the state on the global map."
He added that countries with the ability to manufacture semiconductors will be global leaders in the future, and India has joined the elite ranks of a handful of nations.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis alleged it had always adopted a "step-motherly attitude" towards the northeast, due to which the region did not see much development, and was embroiled in unrest.
He also criticised the opposition party for its "anti-national stance" during the West Asia crisis, claiming it was trying to create discontentment among the people by raising false doubts over the availability of LPG and fuel.
"We had also been in the opposition, but we had never acted in such a shameful manner," he said.
Taking a dig at state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, who is also the opposition party's candidate in Jorhat, Fadnavis said, "Those in Lok Sabha should remain there. BJP will return to power, and he will have no work here."
Gogoi is also the opposition party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.
