PM asks states to deal with infra & exports, makes pitch for farmers

Written by ENS Economic Bureau | New Delhi |
Updated: February 21, 2021 4:44:18 am
EXHORTING states to deal with exports and self-reliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday stated commodities equivalent to edible oils that India imports in giant portions could be regionally produced, and the positive aspects should accrue to Indian farmers.
Addressing the sixth assembly of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, he stated, “Our agriculture sector is full of opportunities but still there are some truths we need to accept. We may be called a krishi pradhan desh but despite that, we import edible oil worth Rs 65,000-70,000 crore. We can stop this, this money can go to our farmers. Our farmer is the claimant of this money. Our farmers can produce many such products, not only for our country but also supply to the world,” he stated.
With Cabinet colleagues and chief ministers of most states becoming a member of him by way of video convention, the Prime Minister urged states to arrange agro climatic regional planning methods to assist farmers, and create circumstances for reinforcing exports on the district stage.
For the farm sector, it was essential to construct storage or processing capacities, which wanted funding. “Our farmers need the necessary economic support, better infrastructure, modern technology, for which reforms are very important,” he stated.
In his 20-minute deal with, the Prime Minister additionally highlighted the federal government’s schemes and initiatives in the direction of selling self-reliance throughout sectors. He requested states to benefit from the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to draw most potential investments.
He informed the states that the non-public sector was coming ahead for growth of the nation in an encouraging method. “This is helping the movement towards the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he stated.
To enhance exports, as an example, Modi argued that coastal states can faucet into the ‘blue economy’ and worth add by exporting processed fish, which has a excessive world demand. He additionally burdened the necessity to must strengthen MSMEs and startups and urged state governments to shortlist native merchandise in varied districts that may be promoted.
PM Narendra Modi on the video convention on Saturday. (PTI)
Pointing out that the latest Budget has created a optimistic momentum in the direction of development, Modi stated the spending on infrastructure sector will assist the economic system at many ranges in making a multiplier impact and boosting employment alternatives. “Since states present their Budgets a few weeks after the Union government, they can synchronise their spending taking cues from the Union Budget,” Modi stated.
Arguing that the Centre had just lately eradicated greater than 1,500 legal guidelines to minimise coverage intervention, he argued that states must also scale back compliance burden for our residents for Ease of Living.

Modi stated there’s a want for aggressive, cooperative federalism not solely amongst states but additionally districts in order that growth stays a first-rate theme. He stated the agenda factors for at this time’s discussions have been shortlisted holding in prime priorities of the nation in thoughts. The agenda of the assembly contains deliberations on agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, human useful resource growth, service supply at grassroots stage, and well being and vitamin.
“In the Covid period, we saw how the Centre and states came together to work, the nation succeeded and a good image of India was built before the entire world. Friends, today, as we complete 75 years of independence, this governing council meet becomes even more significant,” he stated.
Speaking at a press convention after the day-long assembly, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar stated the Prime Minister urged the necessity to create district export promotion councils to advertise exports.
The welfare measures taken by the federal government has led to enchancment within the lives of poor individuals. In the previous few years, opening of financial institution accounts, improve in vaccination and well being services, free electrical energy connection, free gasoline connection to empower the poor has mirrored an exceptional change of their lives, he stated. Post 2014, greater than 2.4 crore homes have been inbuilt villages and cities.
“The government is also working on mission mode to provide clean water through piped supplies, while the BharatNet scheme is helping in big transformation in rural areas,” he stated.