Govt will push economic reforms, maintain fiscal stability: PM Modi

VADODARA/DAHEJ: Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed on Sunday that economic reforms would continue and the government would maintain financial stability while initiating these measures.
“After the reforms and hard decisions, the economy of the country is on track and in the right direction… We will take all necessary steps to increase investments and bring in economic development,” Modi said, addressing a rally in Dahej.He said several economists have described the fundamentals of the economy as robust.
Earlier, after landing in the industrial town of Dahej in Bharuch from the Ro-Ro ferry service that he inaugurated in Ghogha , Bhavnagar, Modi said financial stability of the country would be maintained while initiating reforms.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had attacked Modi during his recent campaign in Gujarat, after economic growth slowed to a three-year-low of 5.7% in the June quarter.
“Looking at the recent figures, the production of coal, electricity, natural gas and other items has increased significantly. Foreign investors are making huge investments in the country. Foreign exchange reserves too have reached $400 billion,” Modi said.
In Vadodara, where he inaugurated projects worth Rs 3,600 crore, Modi made an indirect appeal to people of Gujarat to ensure that the government at the Centre and state remain the same. While Modi did not say this directly, he pointed out that the state had progressed well when there was conducive leadership in the Centre.
The PM said the state should not miss the opportunity to capitalise on a government in Delhi that does not dislike the state. He added that the state government had been putting project after project before the Centre.
“This creates opportunities and projects like the Ro-Ro ferry service become possible,” said Modi who had inaugurated the Ghogha-Dahej ferry service.
Speaking after inaugurating several projects in Vadodra, Modi said that during Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s time, projects such as the Narmada Dam and the temple at Somnath were proposed. “But the then PM had come in the way even then,” he said hinting at Jawaharlal Nehru, and added that the projects were possible due to Patel’s efforts.
Modi highlighted how the camaraderie between Morarji Desai as PM and Babubhai Jasbhai Patel as the CM in Gujarat had ensured development. Modi said that but for the Central government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the rehabilitation work after the Kutch earthquake would not have been completed even after 15 years.
Modi took a dig at former prime minister Manmohan Singh, saying that when Singh was the PM, he had gone to seek permission for placing the gates on the Narmada Dam. “He asked me if it had not been done till now,” Modi said, adding that this happened repeatedly. He said his government put the gates soon after assuming power.
Modi targeted the Congress party on several occasions during his speech. He said since the party could not target him, it was training its guns on the Election Commission. “They are asking why is Modi going to Gujarat after Diwali,” he said, asking the gathering, "Can’t I come to Gujarat?" The crowd roared, “yes”.
Referring to GST, Modi said the number of traders joining the new indirect tax regime was increasing every day.
“Around 27 lakh additional people have registered for the indirect tax in the last few months... No businessmen wants to indulge in tax evasion. But tax rules, system, tax officials and even politicians are forcing them to do it,” he said.
He assured traders that their past records would not be checked if they joined the new tax regime. “I assure you that no tax officials will be allowed to open past records of those who want to come into the mainstream,” the PM said, adding that GST had helped check corruption at state borders.