At Ficci meet, Modi attacks UPA’s economic policies

Gandhinagar: Launching an attack on the economic policies of the UPA government, Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the main reason behind the "despair" prevailing in the country was that nobody takes responsibility.

The BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate said India has become a country of "under-achievers" due to lack of planning and there was a need to come out of this situation by building an atmosphere of trust.

BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi. PTI

"If we had planned well we would have reached great heights. Today, India has become a country of under-achievers. There is no dearth of opportunity for growth of industry in the country. There is a need to come out of this despair. An atmosphere of confidence and trust is very important in India now," he said addressing a Ficci meet.

Taking on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said, "Our Prime Minister likes to speak about 'inclusive growth'. Until we build capacity among poor through education, how can it happen?

Stressing on the need for a holistic approach, the Gujarat Chief Minister said, "If we keep on exporting minerals, the country will not generate employment or development. With every resource, a holistic approach is very necessary."

Blaming the existing regime for the ill-health of the economy, Modi said, "When we talk about growth, infrastructure comes in and that is dependent on the energy sector. Industries are shut because of shortage of fuel. Someone has to take responsibility. The reason for disappointment is that nobody accepts responsibility in this country."

Modi said the country was at the beginning of the 21st century and there was eagerness in the air. "There was talk of the new century approaching but a strategy is yet to be formed."

He said two sectors are most important - agriculture and service sector - and there is a need to focus on improving productivity in agriculture and value additions to improve rural economy.

"The amount of land is not increasing but actually decreasing with population increase. Value addition is the best combination in service and agriculture sector," he said.

Modi said, "We have to make the common man a stakeholder in development. We need to build more small-scale industries. The small things need to be looked at to bring overall development."

Referring to the health sector, he said, "Common man looks for cheap treatment. Indian hospitals are renowned in the world but the insurance process in India holds us back."

"If people know that we have the power to provide insurance, foreigners will come here to get treatment," he said.

He also advised the railways and defence services to start their own universities for filling up large number of vacancies in these sectors.

"We are spending crores on imports, something that the youth in our country can also provide. Instead of hiring people from outside India, should we not start colleges in India," he asked.

Describing himself as an optimistic person, he said, "If there is a glass half full of water, I say there is half water, half air and, therefore, completely filled."

PTI