New Delhi: With Modi government set to complete one year in office, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said that India has ushered in the NDA rule and a large section of the society feels that achhe din have really come.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Naidu maintained that an average Indian is happy as the country's prestige has gone up.
Taking pot shots at the previous Congress-led regime, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that the UPA government was only involved in 'jhooth, loot and cheat'.
Coming down heavily on the Congress for criticising PM Narendra Modi's foreign visits, Naidu said,“The grand old party is unhappy about country’s recognition and increasing respect, so what can I say..can only sympathise with them.”
Maintaining that the BJP-led NDA government has created an environment of enthusiasm, the Union Minister said that the UPA government left behind an environment of despair, but in the NDA rule international recognition, respect have gone up and investments are coming.
Commenting on the economic front, Naidu said in the Modi era the Rupee has gained strength, and inflation is under control.
“ Small sections are disappointed because of vested interests. Those who were enjoying power by other means are totally disappointed,” the senior BJP said.
Taking pride in the successful implementation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious project 'Jan Dhan Yojna', the Union Minister said that earlier poor, Dalits could not easily open bank accounts, but now 15 crore new accounts have already been opened under the new scheme.
In an attempt to strike the chord with the farmers, who were badly affected by unseasonal rains, the BJP leader said that earlier a compensation of Rs 1.20 lakhs was given to the farmer in case of calamity. But now it has been increased to Rs 4 lakh.
“ Everywhere pro-poor, pro-farmers, pro-youth initiatives have been launched by this government.”
Meanwhile, Naidu also dismissed opposition criticism over the contentious black money issue, saying his government in its first Cabinet meet had set up a Special Investigating Team to pursue the case.
“ The centre has been negotiating with international community and we have succeeded to an extent on getting information regarding black money,” he maintained.
“ In some cases charge sheets have also been filed and names have been revealed, the BJP leader asserted, adding that the money will come back slowly as it’s a legislative process and there are international treaties which were entered earlier by the Congress government.
