Mangaluru, Sep 2 (UNI) Spelling out the benefits accruing to Karnataka due to double-engine government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Rs 3800 crore proposed projects that were inaugurated will increase the ease of living and employment in the state.
Also the "One District and One Product" scheme will facilitate the availability of markets for the products of fishermen, artisans and farmers of the region, he said.
Remarking on the prioritised infrastructure development in the last eight years, PM said it is Karnataka that has benefited immensely from it.
"Karnataka is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Sagarmala scheme," Modi added.
Highway Projects worth 70 thousand have been added in the last 8 years in the state and more than one lakh crore rupees worth of projects are in the pipeline, he said. The railway budget for the projects in Karnataka increased fourfold in the last 8 years.
Observing the developments in the last eigth years, PM said more than 3 crore houses have been built for the poor in the country, and in Karnataka, the approval for more than 8 lakh pucca houses for the poor have been given.
"Thousands of middle-class families have also been supported with crores of rupees to build their houses," he added. He further highlighted that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, more than six crore households in the country have been linked with piped water facilities in just 3 years.
"Piped water has reached more than 30 lakh rural families of Karnataka, for the first time," the PM stated.
Modi mentioned that under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, about four crore poor people of the country have received free treatment during hospitalisation. "Due to this, about 50 thousand crore rupees have been saved to be spent for the poor. More than 30 lakh patients of Karnataka have also got the benefit of Ayushman Bharat," he added.
The PM said the government is making sure that those who were forgotten due to their weak financial conditions are not neglected. He further added that small farmers, small traders, fishermen, street vendors, and crores of such people have started getting the benefits of the country's development for the first time. "They are joining the mainstream of development of India," he said.
"Today digital payments are at a historic level and our innovations like BHIM-UPI are grabbing the attention of the world," Modi said.
He further said today, people of the country want fast and cheap internet with robust connectivity.
The PM underlined that today, gram panchayats are being connected by laying about 6 lakh km of optical fiber. "The facility of 5G is going to bring a new revolution in this field. I am glad that the double-engine government of Karnataka is also working to fulfil the needs and aspirations of the people at a fast pace," he added.
Modi concluded his address by referring to the Karavali region of Karnataka. He said, "I always feel inspired by this energy of patriotism, of national resolve. May this energy seen in Mangaluru continue to brighten the path of such development, with the same wish, many congratulations and best wishes to all of you for these development projects."
Highlighting the efforts that the country has made toward port-led development, the PM emphasised that it is an important mantra for development. As a result of such efforts, the capacity of India's ports has almost doubled in just 8 years.
Reflecting on the GDP figures that have come out a few days ago, the Prime Minister said the policies made by India during the Corona period and the decisions taken have played a key role in the development of India. “Last year, despite so many global disruptions, India’s exports were worth a total of $ 670 billion i.e. 50 lakh crore rupees. Overcoming every challenge, India made a new record of merchandise export of $ 418 billion i.e. 31 lakh crore rupees”, the Prime Minister added.
Modi said that every sector related to the growth engine of the country is running at full capacity today. The service sector is also moving towards rapid growth. He said the impact of PLI schemes can be seen very clearly in the manufacturing sector.
The Prime Minister threw the spotlight on the celebrations of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, and remembered the struggles faced by Queen Abbakka and Queen Chennabhaira Devi in saving India's soil from the clutches of slavery. “Today, these brave women are a great inspiration for India moving forward in the field of exports”, he added.
Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister of Karnataka Basvaraj Bommai, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi, Union Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, and others among those present on the occasion.
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