Mouda, Maharashtra, 21 August 2014

The Prime Minister today announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana on August 28th, and appealed to the farmers to avail of the benefits of the scheme, which included a bank account, a debit card, and an insurance amount of Rs. One lakh. He also spoke of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, which aimed at providing sufficient water to the farmer for irrigation. He was addressing a gathering after dedicating to the nation the 1000 MW Mouda Super Thermal Power Project Stage-1. He declared that providing electricity to everyone across the country is the topmost priority of his Government.

He said that for any country to progress, priority has to be given to infrastructure. If we can deliver durable infrastructure, possibilities of development increase, he added, stating that even among all kinds of infrastructure, power is most important, as it is a crucial element in bringing about change in the quality of life of the people.

The Prime Minister said that even so many years after independence, power had not reached every nook and corner of the country, and in many areas there were acute power shortages. But he reiterated his Government`s resolve to provide power to all. The Prime Minister mentioned the stress he had laid on hydropower during his recent visits to Bhutan and Nepal, as well as to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the aim of the Government was to tap all sources of energy, with emphasis on clean energy, especially solar energy.

The Prime Minister recalled the plight of debt-ridden farmers in Vidarbha, who were forced to commit suicide. He said, if they had access to electricity, they could have pumped the water necessary to irrigate their fields, saved their crop, and hence avoided falling into debt.

The Governor of Maharashtra Shri K. Sankaranarayanan, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, and MoS(I/c) for Power Shri Piyush Goyal were present on the occasion.

PM at Nagpur lays foundation stone for Nagpur metro and Pardi grade separator and flyover on NH-6

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today outlined a vision for solid waste management and waste water management in 500 urban centres across India, through the PPP model. He said this would enable cleanliness in towns and cities, while facilitating ample water supply for agriculture to the nearby rural hinterland.

The Prime Minister said India is urbanizing rapidly, and he sees this not as a challenge but as an opportunity for economic development.

The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering in Nagpur after laying the foundation stone for Nagpur metro and Pardi grade separator and flyover on NH-6.

The Prime Minister said that it should be a matter of concern for every Indian that we have got left behind in the quest for development compared to many other nations. He said every Indian should resolve that the country develops – this is a part of national character, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister also spoke strongly against corruption, and said he has resolved to curb it.

The Prime Minister referred to Mahatma Gandhi`s commitment for cleanliness. He said keeping a city clean was the responsibility of its citizens. He exhorted the people of Nagpur to work towards a clean city.

The Governor of Maharashtra Shri K. Sankaranarayanan, Minister for Urban Development Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, and MoS(I/c) for Power Shri Piyush Goyal were present on the occasion.