Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said >funds allocated to Bihar by his government were “right”.
Addressing an election rally at Banka in Bihar, Mr. Modi said: “Bihar must vote for development” and development can come only with investment.
“The solution to all problems lies in development. It will set us free from all problems,” he said.
“Development needs investment. The government in Delhi has opened its coffers for Bihar. This is not a favour, it is Bihar’s right, which was not given to it so far,” the Prime Minister said.
He also took a dig at the State’s Nitish Kumar government, saying they are not trustworthy.
“ >Some people question if the Rs.1,65,000 crore that has been promised will come to Bihar or not... tell me, the present day government should be given even a rupee? Will you get anything? They are so arrogant, maybe we give them money and they return it,” he said.
Modi launches Mudra scheme in Jharkhand
Earlier in the day, Mr. Modi launched the Mudra loan scheme at Dumka in Jharkhand under which people can take loans up to Rs.10 lakh to start businesses.
“The Mudra scheme is one step forward to accelerate development in the country. Till now, 42 lakh people have taken benefits under the Mudra scheme and loans of Rs.26,000 crore have been given,” Mr. Modi said while launching the scheme in Jharkhand.
“Of these 42 lakh people, 20 lakh are women. This is the best example of empowerment of women, who will become a part of the development,” he said, pointing out that interest would have to be paid on the amount withdrawn through the debit card and not on the entire loan amount.
The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency) Yojana was launched in April to help small entrepreneurs. In Jharkhand, around 1 lakh people have been given loans under the Mudra scheme.
Mr. Modi also criticised political rivals who talked about poor people. “Politics has been done in the last 60 years in the name of the poor but no one thought about mothers cooking food by burning fuel wood. We have till now given LPG cylinders to 18 lakh poor people. On my appeal, 31 lakh people have given up LPG cylinder subsidies,” the Prime Minister added.
“Today is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and he will be happy if forests are saved by not cutting trees for fuel wood to cook food,” Mr. Modi said.
The Prime Minister also launched the renovation of a series of Maluti temples in Dumka district of Jharkhand. “By renovation and conservation of the Maluti temples, tourism will be developed in the Santhal region that will generate jobs for the youth,” he said.
Published - October 02, 2015 04:36 pm IST
