Modi stands for uplift of poor and unity of country: Naqvi

Nadiad (Gujarat), Aug 20 (IANS) Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood for the uplift of the poor and unity of the country, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday termed Modi as the man behind the making of India the "Viswa Guru".

"Narendra Modi stands for Mahatma Gandhi's intentions for uplift of poor and Sardar Patel's policy for unity of the country. Modi has been taking India forward on the path of prosperity, safety and harmony with the intention of Mahatma Gandhi and policy of Sardar Patel," said Naqvi.

He was speaking at a programme held to celebrate the 70 years of Independence under the theme called "Aazadi 70 Yad Karo Qurbani".

Naqvi said that it was Modi who has converted into reality the nation's prestige, prosperity and safety.

"When Modi was Chief Minister, the world used to talk about 'Gujarat model of development' and when Modi has become Prime Minister, the world is now talking about "India model of development," he said.

Stating that Modi's message of "corruption-free and development oriented" system was clear, he said the entire country was moving ahead on it.

"National security is the priority of the Modi Government and there will be no soft approach towards terrorism or separatism. Today, Pakistan, which has been a sponsor of terrorism, has been isolated at the global level due to Modi Government's strong policy of "national security and peace," said Naqvi.

"During the Modi Government a total of 22 crore 65 lakh bank accounts have been opened under Jan Dhan Yojana; social security and insurance cover has been provided to about 13 crore people," said Naqvi adding that 14 crore people got LPG gas connection in 60 years and our government gave 4 crore new LPG gas connections in 60 weeks.

"Five crore free LPG gas connections will be given to poor families. Till date about 9, 874 villages out of 18,500 villages, which were not electrified since independence, have been electrified. Our government has set a target to electrify all these villages in 1, 000 days. Subsidy worth more than Rs 35,000 crore has been deposited in bank account of needy people under Pahal (DBT)," he said.

Naqvi claimed that the work which had not been done in the last several decades, has been done by the Modi Government in its about "100 weeks".

"The Modi Government has created an atmosphere of development and trust by moving forward with strong commitment to socio-economic- educational empowerment of villages, poor, farmers, dalits, women and weaker sections including minorities. This has ensured development of every section of the society," he said.