Numbers, they say, don’t lie. When we look at the creation of 450 million bank accounts, 110 million toilets to declare India’s 600,000 villages open defecation free, 30 million homes for the poor, and 95 million to ensure people have universal access to banking Tap water and LPG connections, the sheer scale of progress made by the country in the last 8 years under the Narendra Modi government is clearly visible.
As the government completes 8 years of service to the people, there is a need to look at the three fundamental pillars of service, good governance and poor welfare that have marked these years. The service is a symbol of the government’s tireless efforts to ensure that the benefits of government programs reach all those who are entitled to it. Good Governance embodies the various initiatives of the Prime Minister Modi government to ensure good governance. Garib Kalyan reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that the poor are the cornerstone of decision-making.
Service or attempt to serve humbly: Instead of resting on its own reputation, the government is working to ensure a qualitative change in the lives of the people. Therefore, as we approach the milestone of issuing 180 million Ayushman Bharat cards and facilitating over 30 million free hospital admissions for the poor, we are also looking to ensure that quality medical care is available. For this purpose 15 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and undergraduate and postgraduate medical education seats have been increased by 80%. Similarly, as we strive to provide direct benefit transfers to around 120 million farmers, and provide loans to 350 million beneficiaries of the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) initiative, we are also ensuring That the benefits of all the schemes and government programs reach 100% entitled people of the country.
The contrast is also visible with the previous governments in the last 8 years. The total development expenditure by the present government from 2014 to 2022 was 90.9 trillion. opposite of this, 49.2 trillion was spent on developmental expenditure from 2004 to 2014. Modi government has spent in its 8 years so far. 24.85 trillion on food, fuel and fertilizer subsidies and 26.3 trillion on capital formation. In the 10 years of the previous government, 13.9 trillion was spent on subsidies.
Good Governance through Cooperative Federalism: Since states ensure last mile implementation, it is important for the Center to work with them. The Central Government has worked hard in shaping the framework of cooperative federalism in all aspects. The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the states as active participants and the implementation of the recommendations of the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions are two clear examples.
The 14th and 15th Finance Commissions recommended devolution of 42% and 41% of central taxes to the states, respectively, as against the 13th Finance Commission’s recommendation of 32%. As a result of this high transfer, the Center has made transfers of approx. 57 trillion to the states as part of the nine Union Budgets presented by the Modi administration so far.
From Poor Welfare to World Welfare: The central government is working towards the empowerment of the poorest of the poor, so that we move away from an entitlement framework. However, the government is also well aware that in times of disasters and health emergencies like the Kovid pandemic, it needs to extend a helping hand to the people at large. By the end of September 2022, more than 100 million tonnes of food grains would have been distributed to 800 million people across India under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. 3.4 trillion.
Overall, despite the challenges posed by COVID, the government has centered its initiatives around Garib Kalyan, or the welfare of the poor. In the last 8 years, approx. 5 trillion was spent under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) job scheme, more than 20% of this was spent in 2020 and 2021 as pandemic-time relief.
During the pandemic, India played the role of a global leader by providing over 1,930 million vaccine doses to citizens, thus ensuring their health security and well-being. We also facilitated indigenous vaccine research and distributed COVID vaccines to over 100 countries. By doing so, the government has aimed not only at poor welfare but also Vishwa Kalyan, or global welfare.
The goodwill and stature generated by India, along with the Prime Minister’s personal relationship with world leaders, has helped us bring back more than 228 antiques and other pieces of stolen heritage from around the world since 2014. Before 2014, only 13 such items were repatriated to India. Furthermore, the evacuation of our citizens from conflict zones around the world, such as Operation Rahat in Yemen in 2015 and Operation Ganga in Ukraine, has sent a clear message: Indians in every corner of the world are equally protected, equally valued and protected. They have interests. Equal priority by the government.
From 75 Years of Independence to 25 Years of Amrit Kaal: India is celebrating 75 years of independence from colonial rule through various events under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This is an opportunity for us to create a blueprint for a prosperous and strong India in the next 25 years. Significant achievements have been observed in the last 8 years and those listed are just a few illustrative examples. Through words and actions, PM Modi keeps reminding us that we have miles to go before we go to sleep. In this regard, our work has only just begun.
Yes. Kishan Reddy is the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of the North Eastern Region. He represents the Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency