Page 35 - NIS English 01-15 March 2022

PM Address in Parliament Nation

been completed. This achievement is the result of the
country's efforts, 130 million people of the country.

ON THE GOVERNMENT'S DEDICATION DURING THE
COVID PERIOD...
More than 80 crore countrymen were given free rations
for such a long period of time throughout the Corona
period to ensure that no one sleeps hungry, and such
a circumstance should never emerge. India has set an
example for the rest of the world by carrying out this
task. A new record of providing tap water facilities
to five crore rural families was achieved during the
Corona pandemic. Many infrastructure projects were
completed during the Corona period because we know
that investing in infrastructure during times of difficulty
ensures job possibilities. That's why we focused on
it as well so that we could find work and finish all of
our projects. Whether it was Jammu and Kashmir or ON SELF-RELIANT INDIA
the North East, the journey of its development was The government provided the necessary
comprehensive in every phase during the Corona period, assistance to all industries, including
and we have continued to do so. The construction of MSMEs. Rules and procedures were
national highways is underway. The electrification of simplified. We did everything we could to
railway lines is underway. The government is currently help India achieve its goal of self-sufficiency.
constructing a network of new airports, heliports, All of these accomplishments have been
and waterways. Optical fiber network construction made by the country in an environment
is underway in more than 6 lakh villages across the where there is still a lot of upheaval in the
country. economic world on a global scale. Through
ON INITIATIVES THAT WILL BENEFIT THE POOR the Self-Reliant India campaign, we are now
AND FARMERS... becoming a part of the global chain. This is
We kept walking in the direction of our promise of a positive sign for India. Our primary focus
delivering pucca houses to lakhs of poor people. is on industries such as MSME and textiles.
Currently, constructing a house costs lakhs. Because Improvements in the larger MSME system by
so many crores of households now have this home, improving the definition of MSME, we have
the poor owning the pucca house can be called a given them new opportunities. According to
Lakhpati today. If we want to get rid of poverty, we an SBI study, this scheme has saved 13.5
must strengthen our small farmers. Our small farmers lakh MSMEs from financial ruin and 1.5
must be strengthened if the rural economy is to be crore jobs, with approximately 14 percent
strengthened. Even during the Corona era, our farmers of MSMEs avoiding the risk of becoming
produced record crops, and the government purchased NPA due to loans. The PLI scheme, which
record amounts. Despite the outbreak, new records was launched by various ministries,
for wheat and paddy purchases were set. Farmers boosted manufacturing. India is now the
received an increase in MSP as well. world's leading mobile manufacturer, and
its contribution to exports is growing. Our
REGARDING YOUTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT... total exports are at an all-time high. And
Because of our country's youthful start-ups, India has this is during the Corona era. Agricultural
risen to the top three in the world of start-ups. A simpler exports have risen to the top of the history
tax system has been started in order to create a better list. Software exports are at an all-time high.
environment for entrepreneurs in the country by doing Mobile phone exports have increased at
away with approximately 25,000 compliances. Today, an unprecedented rate. It is a testament
I'd like to ask the state to investigate and resolve such to India's self-sufficiency that the country
issues. Citizens of the country are having difficulties; is now making a name for itself in defence
exports.

New India Samachar March 1-15, 2022 33