NEW DELHI:
PM Modi
on Saturday made a strong pitch for common citizens and said in the last decade, govt had taken a series of measures to make things better for them, while steering clear of the path of
subsidies
even though it was the easier option for him.
“I could have collected applause by offering goodies, but I chose the tougher road because that is the one which leads to the building of a stable, capable and prosperous India,” Modi said as he gave the example of 1 crore people signing up for the
solar energy scheme
where govt, besides offering subsidy, has promised to buy electricity from the houseowner. “That is my way of making people stronger,” he added.
Speaking at a media event, Modi listed the initiatives taken by his govt — loans under
Mudra and SvaNidhi schemes
where small enterprises and hawkers, respectively, can avail of loans at subsidised rates without having to pledge collateral; higher exemption slabs for
income tax
payees, subsidised rail tickets,
Ayushman health insurance scheme
and smoother and faster delivery of services like passports — to say he had tried to make life easier for people.
“You would not have heard of ‘
ease of living
’ concept under previous govts. There were a select few who had the first claim over amenities and
common people
used to suffer,” the PM said, recalling the struggles of citizens depicted in the cartoons of R K Laxman in TOI.
English (US) ·