PM Narendra Modi’s Interview With Zee News Editor Sudhir Chaudhary: Highlights

PM Modi will also be hosting a dinner for the leading global chief executive officers at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Summit at Davos, Switzerland, on January 22.

New Delhi, Jan 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday gave his first interview of the year to Zee News editor Sudhir Chaudhary. Responding to a slew of questions on a range of issues, PM Modi said his government not only succeeded in making India an emerging economic power on international platforms, it also introduced much-awaited reform of Goods and Service Tax (GST) across the country.

Highlights of PM Modi’s Interview:

1. Responding to his upcoming visit to World Economic Forum Conference, PM Narendra Modi said India has emerged as world superpower. He added that the world is willing to establish a dialogue with India.  He added that his election to power with majority after 30 years gave the world confidence in the Indian government. He said he is proud to represent India. [Also read: GeM: Know All About Government E-Marketplace]
2. On being asked about the World Economic Forum 2018 in Davos, Switzerland, PM Narendra Modi said that India is the centre of attraction and it is expected that the world wants to communicate with our country.
3. PM Modi said that India’s relations with many world leaders have deepened. ” When I meet Putin or Trump, I always remember I represent 125 crore Indians on international platforms,” said PM Modi. We must also remember the world is an interconnected entity and we cannot live in isolation.  “He said my understanding was limited to Gujarat. I made it my strength. I did not follow protocol, I was a simple man with no baggage. I made friends the world over,” said Modi.
4. PM Modi said that India has been instrumental in bringing world’s attention to financial transparency. It was acknowledged by then United States President Barack Obama.
5. Commenting on WEF, PM Modi said that it world’s biggest financial forum. “It’s the world’s biggest financial forum.. world economy is focused on India.. with its big market and demographic dividend,” PM Modi said. He will also be hosting a dinner for the leading global chief executive officers at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Summit at Davos, Switzerland, on January 22.
6. Commenting on the ambitious reform of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation, PM Modi said it is unfair to judge me on the issue. He said the transfer to the new indirect tax system may cause some inconvenience to people but it will be hailed as visionary decisions in the future.
7. PM Narendra Modi, highlighting the achievements of Ujjawala scheme, said the Centre made available thousands of gas cylinders to millions of households across the country. He emphasised crores of LED bulbs were distributed to villagers in rural India.
8. PM Modi, on the questions of simultaneous elections, said the idea has been backed by many leaders including former president Pranab Mukherjee. He added that the exercise of conducting elections requires huge amount of resources. He said,”Our security forces remain posted on election duties on an average of 120 days per year. We cannot afford to spend our limited resources on this exercise.”
9. PM Modi, clarifying on the issues of unemployment, said the country has witnessed a growth of 70 lakh accounts of employees provident fund. He emphasized further that the Mudra Scheme launched by the Centre has been extremely successful. He added the initiative of government e-market has empowered small-scale entrepreneurs across the country. It has not only helped in reducing government’s expenditure but also dismantled the monopoly of big entrepreneurs.
10. Answering the questions on red-tapism in the government, PM Modi said the achievements of his government could not have been possible without support from the bureaucracy. He emphasised the government machinery works with you when they see their leaders are working without any malice.
11. PM Modi said he feels delighted if any of the actions of my government brings any change in the life of poor people in the country.