To stop corruption, we saved over Rs 36,000 cr leakages: PM Modi

A five-hour spectacle to highlight achievements of the Narendra Modi government in two years of office witnessed the Prime Minister along with several of his Union ministers and Bollywood personalities showcase their achievements at a gala event termed “Ek Nayi Subah” held at Delhi’s India Gate on Saturday.

The Prime Minister said that as people increasingly repose faith in the work done by his government, his enthusiasm to work for them also increased.

“Over the last 15 days, the work of the government of India is being very carefully analysed and all aspects are being seen closely. In the process, we have got renewed faith and enthusiasm,” Modi said while speaking at an event to mark two years of his government.

“As the blessings by people are increasing, so is our enthusiasm,” he said. Taking a swipe at the Opposition, he added that over the last few days, “two things have emerged. One is ‘Vikasvad’ (development) and the other is ‘Virodhvad’ (Opposition).”

According to the Prime Minister, “We have found over a crore fake ration cards. We have also cut down illegal siphoning of kerosene.” He further added: “What we know is money belongs to the poor and the poor must get the fruits of development… We have taken continuous efforts for development of farmers and agriculture of the country.” The PM said: “Have plugged six lakh fake kerosene accounts from just a small state like Haryana,” and went on to add: “In the coming three years we will bring LPG connections to 5 crore more poor people.”

“In LPG gas subsidy lists we found so many fake names, so much leakage — we saved you nearly Rs 15,000 crore. For this alone, the country will tell me,  Modiji, you are doing what is right,” Modi said, adding: “During our work we have found more than 1.62 crore fake ration cards we have found. That used to go somewhere. Somebody used to steal all that ration.”

“More than Rs 36,000 crore leakages stopped. And this just the beginning, its a new morning,” he stressed.

Earlier, Union ministers showcased their achievements and leading names from Bollywood, including Amitabh Bachchan, espoused social causes at the “Ek Nayi Subah” event at India Gate lawns here on Saturday to mark completion two years of Narendra Modi government. A range of government initiatives including Swachh Bharat Campaign, the Beti Badhao Beti Badhao, Pradhan Mantrai Ujjawala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana were highlighted as well as moves to boost income of farmers and improve rail, road and air infrastructure and provide electricity to all villages. 

The event was held in a “Talkathon” format with ministers answering queries put to them. Discussions were in studio format and interspersed with some light entertainment in the form of songs and dances. The “breaks” in between discussions featured consumer awareness advertisements as also the NDA government’s theme song on completing two years in office — “Mera desh badal raha hai (my country is changing)”.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Health Minister J P Nadda, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi, Minorities Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Rural Development Minister Birender Singh, Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and Food Minister Ramvilas Paswan were among those who participated. The ministers highlighted government initiatives and also heaped praise on leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who interacted from Nagpur, said that Modi had taken steps to end “policy paralysis” of the past.

Jaitley said the economy had achieved a growth rate of around 7.5 percent amid global slowdown and dwelt of the measures to bring back black money, moves towards financial inclusion through Jan Dhan Yojana and expanding micro-credit through the Mudra Yojana. Warning of strict action against people stashing black money, the Finance Minister said prosecution would be initiated against those found to have parked funds illegally in accounts named in “Panama Papers”.

Meanwhile, Amitabh, who is also a United Nations ambassador for the girl child mission, said the girl child should be nurtured, educated and treated as equal and how “Beti Bachao, Beti Padao” aims at ending discrimination against them. Sporting a saffron-coloured Nehru jacket, he also interacted with girl children from various schools, and even recited lines from his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s famous Madhushala.

Stressing on women empowerment, Bachchan said: “It is time that we realise that half the population of the country can’t be left behind. Please don’t think of women as the weaker gender. If we are talking about inner-strength, then they are far stronger than men.”