Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Feb 7, 2024.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually provided a glimpse into the BJP’s poll manifesto for 2024 by spelling out a long list of tasks for Modi 3.0 including a promise of “zero electricity bill” and ease of life for the new middle class while continuing with existing welfare schemes benefiting the poor.
“The country will not listen to those whose warranty has expired. The country will listen to those who deliver. Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas is not merely a slogan, it is Modi’s guarantee,” he said in the Rajya Sabha, responding to the Motion of Thanks. "The third term of our government is not far. A few people call it 'Modi 3.0'. Modi 3.0 will use all its strength towards strengthening the foundation of Viksit Bharat (developed India)."
In the next five years, the country will see more doctors and medical colleges, making the treatment cheaper, he said, noting the existing schemes like the Rs 5 lakh family health insurance cover to the poor and backward, and support to the farmers would continue.
Earlier this week, Modi in the Lok Sabha said BJP would get 370 seats and the NDA will return to power with more than 400 seats. The Parliamentary polls are due in April-May as the new Lok Sabha needs to be formed by the third week of May.
Reminding the elders how “policy paralysis” was considered as an identity of the UPA government, Modi said in the UPA era, the Indian economy was globally known as one of the fragile five and it took ten years for the country to move from 12th position in the world economy to the 11th spot.
“In the last 10 years, we have taken the economy among the top five and in the next five year, we will be among the top three. The country has witnessed fast transformation,” he asserted.
Modi said in the next term, his government would introduce zero electricity bills for consumers through a switch to solar power. Consumers will also have the option of selling the excess electricity coming from the rooftop solar units to the grid.
Other promises include transformation of the railways, introduction of bullet trains, tap water connectivity to every poor household, expansion of the piped gas network, hike in research funding, drones for the benefit of farmers and a flourishing digital economy.
Modi said India would see more start-ups and one lakh unicorns even in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Also there will be extensive use of AI, nano-fertilizers, green technologies and natural farming. “Millet will be established as the global super food,” he said.
The government is to make India a developed nation by 2047, when the nation will complete 100 years of Independence. "Vikshit Bharat is not a word play, but it is our commitment," the Prime Minister said in what may presumably be his last speech in the Rajya Sabha before the next general election.