Modi targets previous governments; says exchequer was 'destroyed' to win elections
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the only solution to every problem being faced by the country lies in development and his government has taken many tough decisions to speed up the process.
Speaking at a function in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, the PM said that while previous governments were involved in filling up their coffers, agenda of my government is to empower the poor and middle-class through development and welfare schemes.
"All our schemes and programmes are envisaged keeping in mind each and every section of the society, particularly poor and middle class. Development is the only way to remove poverty and bring economic prosperity," claimed Modi.
"My government has taken several tough steps and decisions which no government had dared in last 25 years. Our agenda is to remove poverty by speeding up pace of development and economic growth," said Modi.
The PM said that the world is now watching India with different eyes. "A new India has emerged on the world map. The world is seeing a changing India which is taking its economy to a new height," he added.
After launching 17 projects and laying foundation stones for half a dozen others worth over Rs 1,000 crore, Modi said that "in the past many decades Kashi had never witnessed launching of so many projects of this magnitude."
Dedicating Rs 305 crore Deendayal Hastkala Sankul (Deendayal Trade Facilitation Centre cum Museum), Modi said that "the new facility will not only provide a platform to weavers and skilled labourers to showcase their products but also an international market.
He appealed to all tourist operators and taxi drivers to make sure that they take foreign tourists to the new centre. "It will also promote tourism in Kashi which will soon emerge as a new economic centre in North India," he pointed.
Modi was accompanied by the textile minister Smriti Irani and her MoS Ajay Tamta during the inauguration of the Trade Facilitation Centre-cum-Museum.
Flagging off Mahamana Express between Varanasi and Vadodara, two parliamentary constituencies he had won in 2014 before retaining Kashi, Modi said the train will accelerate economic growth of Kashi and soon make it a textile hub of North India. Railway Minister Piyush Goel from Vadodara and his MoS Manoj Sinha also joined him from Surat through video conferencing in the flag off ceremony.
In his speech Modi lauded the development works being carried out by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. "Yogi Adityanath has done a wonderful job in the last six months," he said.
The PM also dedicated two bridges on holy river Ganga to the people of his constituency, inaugurated a community kitchen near famous Kashi Vishwanath temple, two power sub-stations, laid foundation of Utakarsh Small Finance Bank headquarters building, Ramna Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and released a commemorative postal stamp on Ramayana Grantha.
On the first day of his two-day visit, Modi also launched Water Ambulance and Jal Shav Vahan Sewa (boat service to ferry bodies). "Jal Shav Vahan Sewa will help tackle the traffic bottlenecks in the city," he said.
Earlier, the PM was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik and State BJP president Mahendra Nath Pandey at the Babatpur Airport.
Later, the PM performed puja and offered prayers at Tulsi Manas temple and Durga Temple at Durgaund. He met BJP leaders and workers at the DLW Guest House where he will have the night stay.
Today's itinerary
PM Modi will open 'Pashu Arogya Mela' at Shahanshahpur on the outskirts of Varanasi on Saturday.
He will also have a 'mann ki baat' with farmers, and distribute loan waiver certificates.
He will return to Delhi later in the day.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Modi-Durga-Mata-Temple-PTI")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}