In an exclusive interview with Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, PM Modi today said GST and demonetisation are not the only achievements of his government and there are many others like financial inclusion, toilet construction and electrification that can be talked about for days together.
In an exclusive interview with Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, PM Modi today said GST and demonetisation are not the only achievements of his government and there are many others like financial inclusion, toilet construction and electrification that can be talked about for days together.
On expectations of a populist budget being in the offing ahead of the next general elections, Modi said the only focus of his government is "development, development and development, whether it is the first or the last budget and whether there are elections or not".
"Sabka saath, sabka vikas (development for everyone) is my mantra" and whatever is required for that, his government has been doing and will do, the Prime Minister said.
Replying to a query on big decisions like GST and demonetisation, the prime minister said these are not the only achievements of his government and there has been significant work in different areas.
"If you consider only these two things (GST and demonetisation) as my government's work, it will be a big injustice to me," he said.
He listed bringing unbanked people into the banking network, construction of toilets in over four lakh schools, cooking gas connections to three crore families, electrification of left-out villages, ramping up of urea supply, low-cost insurance for poor, LED bulbs to save power bills and environment as the other areas his government has focused on.
"I am only talking about work done on the economic front. I can list so many things that Zee News will have to run my interview for the entire week," Modi said.
PM Modi was also asked about his promise of giving 1 crore jobs per year in a rally in 2013. PM said that independent agencies have showed that 70 lakh people have been part of EPF this year. He said that 10 crore people have taken loan under the Mudra scheme. Of that, 3 crore people have taken loan for the first time.
Regarding GST, PM Modi said that UPA failed to listen to issues of state governments when they were in power. He said that they managed to address the issues of the states after coming to power. PM reiterated that GST is true testament of India's federal structure. He said that when a big change comes, there will be some teething issues, but they will be resolved.
PM said that he is aware that initially GST will be criticised but later it's true worth will be understood.
When quizzed about the big political risk taken by doing reforms just before polls, PM said that election shouldn't be the focus of governance. It is merely by-product of governance, said PM Modi. He said those in power should look to change people's lives by transformative policies and not think about election.
When asked about his extensive campaigning for BJP prior to every state assembly elections, PM said that it is not new. He has always been connected with people throughout his life, said PM. He also stated that he has spent a night at least in around 80% of the districts of the state. PM said that it is unfair to say that BJP is using him too much. PM said that his life is dedicated to nation and the party.
Watch the full interview tonight at 8 pm and a repeat telecast at 9 pm on Sunday only on Zee News
With inputs from PTI
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