Of the 18,000 unelectrified villages, power has reached 10,000, he said citing the example of Nagla Padam village which is a three hours drive from the national capital and has been without electricity since Independence.
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Prime Minister said that almost 90 irrigation projects were lying half-finished and now his government would be completing them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said railways is expanding the rail network in the country faster as it has commissioned 3500 km track in the last two years.
“The conditions of farmers can improve only when we go for value addition. And for this we have laid emphasis on food processing and 100 per cent foreign direct investment has been encouraged”, he said, adding this will boost farm-based industries.
Remembering Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Pandit Nehruand other countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation, Prime Minister Modi said, “It is our responsibility to convert our Swaraj into Suraaj, which cannot be done without sacrifice, discipline and staunch resolution 7”.
The prime minister said if farmers get uninterrupted supply of water, they could create miracles.
He also made two announcements on the occasion – a 20% increase in the pension of freedom fighters and the government’s decision to bear Rs 1 lakh medical costs for poor families.
On the recently passed tax reform, Prime Minister Modi said “GST will give strength to our economy and all parties are to be thanked for its passage”. He elaborated on the integrated approach that the government has taken towards the agriculture sector, which includes focus on soil health cards, irrigation, solar pumps, seeds, fertilisers, and crop insurance.
“We have fixed minimum support price for pulses and also announced bonus for the farmers”.
He said Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana reflects government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of farmers from land to production.
Stating that various initiatives and programmes are contributing to employment generation, he said, the Model Shop and Establishment Act will facilitate opening of shops on all days.
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