India, Sept. 27 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Jai Jagannath, Jai Maa Samalei, Jai Maa Rama Chandi!
Some young friends here have brought many artworks. Odisha's love for art is world famous. I accept these gifts from all of you, and I'll request my SPG colleagues to collect all these items from you. If you write your name and address on the back, you will definitely receive a letter from me. There, at the back, I see a child holding something for a long time. His hands must be hurting. Please help him and collect that too. If you have written your name on the back, I will certainly write to you. I sincerely thank all the young men, young women, and little children for this affection of yours, for preparing these artworks.
The Governor of Odisha, Shri Haribabu ji; the popular and dedicated Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi ji; my colleague in the Union Cabinet, Jual Oram ji; Deputy Chief Ministers Pravati Parida ji and Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo ji; my colleagues in Parliament Baijayant Panda ji and Pradeep Purohit ji; the President of Odisha BJP, Manmohan Samal ji; and other distinguished dignitaries seated on the stage.
Several Union Ministers and Chief Ministers from across the country are connected with us from different places along with lakhs of people in today's program. I extend my greetings to all of them as well. And I respectfully bow to my brothers and sisters of Jharsuguda. I express my gratitude for your affection. Johar to all the respected dignitaries present here.
Friends,
Currently, the Navratri festival is on, and in such sacred days, I have had the fortune of having the 'darshan' of you all on the land of Maa Samalei and Maa Rama Chandi. A large number of mothers and sisters have gathered here. Your blessings are our strength, and I bow to all the people.
Brothers and sisters,
The people of Odisha had taken a pledge with a new resolution during the assembly elections a year and a half ago. That resolve was for a 'Viksit Odisha' (Developed Odisha). And today we can see that Odisha has begun moving ahead with the speed of a double-engine government. Today once again, projects worth thousands of crores of rupees have been launched for the development of Odisha and for the development of the nation. From today, a new avatar of BSNL has also come forward. BSNL's indigenous 4G services have been launched. The expansion of IITs in many states of the country has also started today. In addition, many projects related to education, skill development, and connectivity have been inaugurated and foundation stones laid in Odisha. A short while ago, the modern Amrit Bharat train from Berhampur to Surat was flagged off. And you also know how important the connection with Surat is. There is hardly any village in this region where people do not have relatives in Surat. Some people even say that after West Bengal, the largest Odia population outside Odisha lives in Gujarat, particularly in Surat. Today, this direct rail service has begun for them. I extend my heartiest congratulations to all of you, to the people of Odisha for all these works of development. And today our Railway Minister is also present at this very program in Surat, where all Odia brothers and sisters have gathered together.
Friends,
The BJP government is one that serves the poor, a government that empowers the poor. We focus greatly on providing basic facilities to the poor, Dalits, backward communities, and tribal communities. We are witnessing that commitment in this program too. I just had the opportunity to hand over approval letters to beneficiaries of the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana (Housing Scheme). When a poor family gets a permanent house, it not only makes their present easier but also secures the life of future generations. So far, our government has provided permanent houses to more than four crore poor families across the country. In Odisha too, thousands of houses are being built at a rapid pace. Our Chief Minister Mohan ji and his team are doing commendable work in this regard. Even today, nearly fifty thousand families have received approval for new houses. More than 40,000 houses have been sanctioned in Odisha for tribal families under the PM JANMAN Yojana. That means a very big dream is being fulfilled today for the most deprived tribal communities. I extend my best wishes to all my beneficiary brothers and sisters.
Friends,
I have always had great faith in the potential of Odisha and the talent of its people. Nature has blessed Odisha abundantly. Odisha has seen decades of poverty, but now this decade is going to lead you toward prosperity. This decade is very important in the life of Odisha. In this regard, our government is bringing major projects to Odisha. Recently, the central government approved two semiconductor units for Odisha. Earlier, no one could have even imagined that a cutting-edge industry like semiconductors could ever be established in Assam or in Odisha. But it is because of the potential of the youth here that such industries are now coming to your land. A semiconductor park is also going to be set up in Odisha to make chips. The day is not far when the small chip, which powers your phone, TV, fridge, computer, car, and so many other devices, and without which no instrument can function will be manufactured right here in Odisha. Now say it loudly: Jai Jagannath!
Friends,
Our resolve is that Bharat should be self-reliant in every field, from chips to ships. Let me ask you something. Will you respond? If I ask, will you answer? Will you answer with full strength? Tell me, should Bharat become self-reliant or not? Should Bharat become self-reliant or not? Should Bharat become self-reliant or not? See, every citizen of this country wants that now our nation should not remain dependent on anyone. Bharat should be self-reliant in every respect. And that is why, a vast industrial corridor is being developed from Paradip to Jharsuguda.
Brothers and sisters,
Any country that wants to become economically strong lays great emphasis on shipbuilding, the construction of large ships. Shipbuilding benefits every sector, be it trade, technology, or national security. When we have our own ships, then even in times of crisis, imports and exports with the world will not be disrupted. That's why our BJP government has taken a very big step. We have approved a package of 70,000 crore rupees for shipbuilding in the country. This will bring an investment of about 4.5 lakh crore rupees into Bharat. This money will reach industries connected with steel, machinery, electronics, and small and cottage manufacturing enterprises. The biggest benefit will go to my youth, the sons and daughters of this country. It will create lakhs of new jobs. Odisha too will gain greatly from this, as its industries and youth will benefit from this wave of employment.
Friends,
Today the country has taken a major step toward self-reliance. When 2G, 3G, and 4G services were introduced in the world of telecom, Bharat lagged far behind. And you all know very well what was happening then. How jokes about 2G and 3G and what not were spreading all over social media.
But brothers and sisters,
Bharat remained dependent on foreign countries for the technologies of 2G, 3G, and 4G services. Such a situation was not good for our nation. That is why the country resolved that these essential telecom technologies must be developed within Bharat. It is a matter of pride for us that BSNL has developed completely indigenous 4G technology in our own country. BSNL has created history with its hard work, dedication, and expertise. I wholeheartedly congratulate the youth of our nation who contributed to this achievement, for their talent, and for the great service they have done in making Bharat self-reliant. Today, Indian companies have placed Bharat among the five countries in the world that have the capability to launch 4G services with fully indigenous technology. Now we are among the five countries in the world which have the 'swadeshi' (indigenous) technology to launch 4G services.
Friends,
It is a happy coincidence that today BSNL is celebrating its 25th foundation day. And on this historic day, Bharat is moving forward toward becoming a global telecom manufacturing hub through the hard work of BSNL and its partners. It is also a matter of pride for Odisha that today the launch of BSNL's indigenous 4G network is taking place from Jharsuguda. This includes nearly one lakh 4G towers which is a matter of national pride. These towers are going to bring a new revolution in connectivity to the remote corners of the country. With the expansion of this 4G technology, more than 2 crore people across the country will directly benefit. Around 30,000 villages, where there was no high-speed internet facility, will now be connected.
Friends,
The people of these thousands of villages are also connected with us today to witness this historic occasion. They are listening to us, watching us right now, through this new high-speed internet technology, even from villages situated at far-off borders. And our Communications Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia ji, who oversees this department, is also connected with us today from Assam.
Friends,
The greatest benefit of BSNL's indigenous 4G services will go to my tribal regions, to my tribal brothers and sisters, to remote villages, to distant hilly areas. Now, the people living there too will have access to excellent digital services. Children in rural areas will be able to attend online classes; farmers in remote areas will be able to know the prices of their crops; patients will be able to take medical advice from the country's best doctors through telemedicine and the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. This will also greatly benefit our soldiers posted on the borders, standing on the Himalayan peaks and standing in the deserts. They too will now be able to communicate with each other through secure connectivity.
Friends,
Bharat has already rolled out the fastest 5G services. The BSNL towers that are being launched today will also be easily upgraded for 5G services. I extend my heartiest congratulations to BSNL and to all the people of the country on this historic day.
Friends,
Skilled youth and a strong environment for research are also essential to build 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (a self-reliant India). That is why this is a major priority of the BJP government. Today, unprecedented investment is being made in education and skill development across the country, including in Odisha. We are also modernizing the nation's engineering colleges and polytechnics. A new scheme named MERIT has been launched today in this regard. Under this scheme, thousands of crores of rupees will be spent on institutions providing technical education. As a result, our youth will no longer be forced to go to big cities for quality technical education. They will get opportunities to access modern labs, learn global-level skills, and start their own start-ups in their own towns.
Friends,
Today, so much work is being done to ensure that facilities reach every region, every section, and every citizen of the country. Record amounts of money are being spent. Otherwise, you know very well what the situation was earlier. Congress never missed a chance to loot you.
Friends,
In 2014, when you gave us the opportunity to serve, we freed the country from this loot system of Congress. Under the BJP government, an era of double savings and double earnings has begun. When Congress was in power, even if an employee, trader, or businessman earned just two lakh rupees a year, they still had to pay income tax. Congress kept this system running until 2014. But after you gave me the chance to serve, income up to 12 lakh rupees a year is completely tax-free now.
Friends,
From 22nd September, new GST reforms have also been implemented in the country, including in Odisha. These reforms have given you all the gift of a GST Bachat Utsav (Savings Festival). Now, running the kitchen has become cheaper for mothers and sisters. The prices of most essential items have come down significantly. Let me explain with an example. Suppose a family in Odisha spends about 1 lakh rupees a year on household needs, that's around 12-15 thousand rupees a month. Before 2014, if you spent 1 lakh rupees, the Congress government would take 20,000-25,000 rupees as tax. That means to spend 1 lakh rupees, you actually had to pay 1.25 lakh rupees. When we first introduced GST in 2017, we significantly reduced your burden and cut taxes. Now, with these new GST reforms, the BJP government has reduced it even further. Today, for an annual household expenditure of 1 lakh rupees, a family has to pay only 5,000-6,000 rupees in tax. Now tell me, where it was 25,000 rupees earlier, and where it is just 5,000-6,000 rupees now! Compared to the Congress era, today poor, ordinary, and middle-class families are saving 20,000-25,000 rupees every year on expenses of 1 lakh rupees.
Friends,
Our Odisha is a land of farmers, and this GST Bachat Utsav is very auspicious for farmers as well. During the Congress era, if a farmer bought a tractor, he had to pay 70,000 rupees in tax on a single tractor. We reduced the tax after GST was introduced. And now, with the new GST structure, a farmer will directly save about 40,000 rupees on the same tractor. A net savings of 40,000 rupees on a tractor. On the machine farmers use for paddy transplantation, they will now save 15,000 rupees. Similarly, they will save 10,000 rupees on a power tiller, and up to 25,000 rupees on a thresher. The BJP government has significantly reduced the tax on many such farming tools.
Friends,
A very large section of our tribal community resides in Odisha. This tribal society depends on forest produce for their livelihood. Our government has already been working for tendu leaf collectors, and now the GST on it has also been reduced greatly. This ensures that collectors will definitely get a higher price for tendu leaves.
Friends,
The BJP government is continuously giving you tax relief, increasing your savings. But Congress, even now, is not giving up its old ways. Congress governments are still engaged in looting you.
And I am not saying this without reason. I have proof that people across the country are benefiting so much. When we implemented the new GST rates, we also reduced tax on cement. Our aim was that people should spend less money in building their homes or repairing them, as cheaper cement would reduce costs. But look at what those who only make statements are actually doing. In Himachal Pradesh, there is a Congress government. Congress has developed a habit of abusing us in every possible way. But when we reduced the GST rate on cement, prices came down across the country. However, Congress did not want to give this relief to the common people. Earlier, when we reduced the prices of petrol and diesel, wherever there were Congress governments, they imposed another tax on top of it. As a result, prices remained the same, while they filled their own treasuries and opened the door to loot. The same thing happened in Himachal Pradesh. When our government reduced the price of cement, they imposed their own new tax. So, the benefit that the Government of Bharat wanted to give to the people of Himachal was blocked by this looting Congress government. That is why I say that wherever there is a Congress government, it will loot the people. That is why the people of the country must remain cautious of Congress, and also be careful of its allies.
Friends,
The GST Bachat Utsav has brought the greatest happiness to our mothers and sisters. Serving our sisters and daughters is the priority of our government. We are also giving special focus to the health of mothers and sisters.
Friends,
A mother is always the first to sacrifice for the well-being of her family. We have all witnessed a mother's sacrifices. She takes every hardship upon herself so that her children are not burdened. A mother even hides her own illness so that her treatment does not become a financial burden on the family. That is why, when we launched the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, it greatly benefited our mothers, sisters, and the women of the country. They received the facility of free treatment up to 5 lakh rupees.
Friends,
When the mother is healthy, the family becomes strong. That is why, from September 17th, on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, the 'Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan' (Healthy Women, Strong Family campaign) has been launched across the country for the good health of every mother. So far, more than 8 lakh health camps have been organized across the country. Over 3 crore women have already undergone check-ups in these camps. Screenings are being done for several diseases such as diabetes, breast cancer, TB, sickle cell anemia, and many others. I would also urge all mothers, sisters, and daughters of Odisha to definitely get your check-ups done.
Friends,
The BJP government is continuously working with dedication to strengthen the nation and its citizens. Whether it is tax reduction or modern connectivity, we are creating pathways of convenience and prosperity. Odisha is greatly benefiting from this. Today, six Vande Bharat trains are running in Odisha. Around 60 railway stations are being modernized. The Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda is now connected to many major cities of the country. Odisha is now receiving far more revenue from minerals and mining. Mothers and sisters of Odisha are continuously receiving support through the Subhadra Yojana. Our Odisha has already embarked on the path of progress. I assure you that this journey of development will move ahead even faster. Once again, I extend my heartiest best wishes to you all. Now, say with me, with full energy-
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Jai Jagannath!
Jai Jagannath!
Jai Jagannath!
Thank you very much.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM's speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
