Asserting that India is seen as one of the fastest growing economies at a time when the world economy is slowing down, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Centre and states must work together for the country’s progress. He said that his government was taking states on board for development of the country, asserting that India can move ahead only on the “strong shoulders” of the states and not from Delhi alone.
“India is seen as one of the fastest growing country at a time when the world economy is slowing down. India is not going to progress from Delhi. States have the most important role in India’s progress. States and Centre must work together,” he said.
“India is not going to progress from Delhi,” Modi said while delivering the inaugural address at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. He also said that the country has the potential to show the power of the states to the world.
“States and Delhi have to move in the same direction then only we can move towards progress. Till now, Delhi used to decide where the states will spend money. This has changed and now the Chief Ministers decide where money will be spent. The country will develop only if there is equal development of every state. Development of India’s eastern part cannot be ignored, they are areas with great potential,” he added.
“If I cut down subsidy, I will be hailed as reformist, but if we do targetted delivery of subsidies it is not seen as reform. On a pilot basis, we tried to make Chandigarh free from kerosene. An unprecedented 40 lakh people have given up gas subsidy, which is a big achievement for us,” he added.
“There was an atmosphere of disappointment earlier. The mandate we got from the people of India was the first step towards changing it. Having a stable government is a very big thing and this can’t be ignored. Fractured mandates always have uncertainty,” he said.
Talking about the measures being taken by his government to push development in states, especially the eastern region, Modi said the Centre had recently sanctioned two major plants for manufacturing railway engines in Bihar.
He added lightheartedly that the decision was taken after the assembly election in state. BJP had there suffered a big defeat in the hands of Nitish Kumar-led grand alliance.