The Narendra Modi government 3.0 completing 100 days, in a pleasant coincidence, coincides with the birthday of our Prime Minister, which is being celebrated as sewa diwas. The last 100 days have been historic in many ways with the nation witnessing a slew of new development projects.
PM Modi has dedicated his life to people’s welfare and the nation’s development — first as a swayamsewak and party worker, then as a chief minister and now as Prime Minister. With the understanding and empathy of someone born in a poor family, the PM has worked to ensure the wellbeing and welfare of the poorest. This is seen is the first 100 days of the Modi 3.0 government as well.
Through various initiatives — from ensuring free medical insurance cover to those over 70 years to launching of the Unified Pension Scheme, welfare schemes for our farmers including hiking of MSP, schemes for development of industries and welfare of poor, giving the go-ahead to construct three crore new houses for poor under PM Awas Yojna, focus, policy interventions for green energy — the PM has given an altogether new dimension to his pledge of making India a developed nation by 2047.
The foundations of the development works that have been accomplished in the first 100 days of the government were laid earlier this year when the PM tasked the bureaucracy to prepare a 100-day roadmap for the third term. This was to ensure that the development works continue unhindered and work on all projects continues smoothly even during the transition to a new government.
In the past, we have seen the first 20-25 days of a new government being filled with celebrations, and the real governance starting only after two-three months. But this trend has been changed by PM Modi who has devoted his entire life to the growth and prosperity of our nation. He is a true karmayogi.
Renewing his focus on strengthening infrastructure, the PM has cleared projects worth over Rs 3 lakh crore. Some of these include a major port being developed in Vadhavan in Maharashtra with an expenditure of Rs 76,200 crore. Similarly, Rs 49,000 crore has been earmarked for 62,500 km long rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which will benefit 25,000 villages. Capital expenditure has been increased to Rs 11.11 lakh crore, which will give a boost to employment generation. Other important projects include 936-km long eight national high-speed road corridors worth Rs 50,600 crore, and 12 new industrial smart cities.
In the past 100 days, 15 Vande Bharat express trains have been flagged off and eight new railway line projects have been cleared. For enhanced air connectivity, upgrading and development of airports have been okayed in Varanasi, Bagdogra (West Bengal) and Bihta (Bihar). Work has also started an ambitious project to connect Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh through Shinku La tunnel. All these projects will create around 4.5 crore job opportunities, give a fillip to economic development, infrastructure and connectivity.
PM Modi has remained committed to the growth of our agriculture sector and welfare of our farming community. He started his third term with the release of the 17th instalment of Kisan Samman Nidhi. His second decision was on MSP, where he increased the purchase price of Kharif crops, thus ensuring extra income to our farmers. Similarly, seven schemes worth Rs 14,200 crore under the Digital Krishi Mission to increase productivity and Rs 12,100 crore for the Polavaram irrigation project have also been cleared. “Mission Mausam”, where Rs 2,000 crore will be spent on improving our weather-related forecast and other interventions, will also benefit our farmers. Similarly, the AgriSURE fund, formed to promote agri start-ups and rural entrepreneurs, will bring revolution in our agriculture sector. Special impetus has been given to improve agriculture in J&K. Similarly, India’s cooperative sector has got a new lease of life under the PM’s leadership.
Permission has been granted to open 113 new medical colleges, which will not only strengthen the medical infrastructure but also increase the number of MBBS seats. For the common man, the PM has given relief on the tax front.
The PM has been consistently proving his mettle on the world stage, so much so that global leaders now look up to him to address any complex issue. There is a consensus developing in the Western world that if there is one leader who can play a pivotal role in ending the Russia-Ukraine war and bring peace to the region, it is Narendra Modi. India has evolved as a true global leader due to the unwavering diplomacy and statesmanship of the PM. Apart from strengthening ties with our time-tested friends, he is making new friends. His recent visits to Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Brunei and Singapore are a testimony to this. While the world still remembers the highly-successful G20 summit in New Delhi, India also stole the show in the recently-concluded G7 meet in Italy. Under Modi, the last 10 years have been remarkable for Indian diplomacy.
The first 100 days of the Modi government 3.0 clearly underline the priorities of the Prime Minister — to make a prosperous, developed and strong India. His vision of creating a true welfare state, where ease of living is ensured, particularly for the poor and backwards sections, women and youth, Dalits and tribals, farmers and villagers, is taking shape.
The writer is Lok Sabha MP (Garhwal, Uttarakhand) and BJP national media head
