August 14, 2018: In his interview, Prime Minister also shared his government’s initiatives towards empowerment and security of women and on a question on whether the grand alliance in the making could pose a political challenge to him in 2019.
He said the grand alliance won’t succeed in winning the confidence of the electorate. Here’s more.
The economic turnaround under Modi govt and policies that aim to protect and empower women in India were some of the other focal points of Prime Minister Modi’s interview to the English news daily.
Speaking on the efforts made by the NDA govt at the Centre to empower and protect women.
Prime Minister said that no country can progress if its women are not full partners in the development process.
He underscored the importance of understanding the need to change mindsets to ensure women are fully empowered through a secure, safe and enabling environment.
Prime Minister elaborated on the several initiatives taken by his government in this context like the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme that addresses the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio and educating the girl child.
He said the government has enacted a law to award death penalty for the rape of a minor girl — strengthening deterrence for those committing such barbaric acts.
He highlighted that for the first time in the history of independent India there are two women in the Cabinet Committee on Security — the minister of external affairs and the minister for Defence and how women have, for the first time, been inducted as fighter pilots in combat roles in the Indian Air Force.
He said the triple talaq bill that makes triple talaq and nikaah halala illegal, is in response to a long-standing injustice done to Muslim women in India.
On India’s economic trajectory during the NDA rule, Prime Minister said India’s economic rise is recognised by the world especially IMF, World Bank and ADB.
He spoke on how by improving the infrastructure in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and providing them air-connectivity too through UDAN, the govt is making them the new growth engines.
Referring to all encompassing reforms that covered all major areas.
Prime Minister said the GST reform that was pending for a long time was implemented by the NDA government and pointed to India’s rise from 142th to the 100th rank in World Bank’s ranking on Ease of Doing Business.
Countering the opposition narrative on job creation, Prime Minister said according to a study based on EPFO data, more than 7 million jobs were created in the formal sector alone last year and more than 4.5 million formal jobs were created between September 2017 to April 2018.
Prime Minister attributed the narrative on lack of jobs to a lack of streamlined database of jobs and employment.
He said the govt’s focus is on creating jobs in the manufacturing and service sectors.
Prime Minister said the govt is investing in future generations to provide better health care through Ayushman Bharat, better education, skilling and better dwelling units through Housing for All.
Prime Minister said the Fugitive Economic Offenders Law would comprehensively and conclusively deal with absconding offenders.
On govt’s handling of the NPA crisis, PM said for creating a clean and effective recovery system, the government has enacted the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
PM said he would go to the people in 2019 on the plank of all-round, quick development for all.
In another interview to a Hindi news daily, Prime Minister took a swipe at the opposition’s attempt to bring together disparate groups to form a grand alliance ahead of 2019.
He said just like after oil mixes with water either are rendered useless this political experiment too will come a cropper. (DD News)
