The termite of corruption will be rooted out by Team India: PM

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of India's 69th Independence Day, the Prime Minister gave a broad overview of the achievements of Team India, over the last 15 months.

He said that the unity, simplicity and brotherhood of 125 crore Indians, is the strength of this nation, and casteism and communalism have no place in our society.

The Prime Minister explained how various initiatives of his Government have resulted in removing corruption from different aspects of governance. In this context, he highlighted the auctions of coal, spectrum and FM radio licenses.

Modi mentioned the PAHAL scheme for direct transfer of LPG subsidy, which has resulted in savings of Rs. 15,000 crore.

He said the introduction of "neem-coated urea" has helped to end diversion of subsidized urea to non-agricultural purposes. He acknowledged that the common man still faces problems because of corruption.

The Prime Minister described corruption as a termite, which needs bitter medicine, with possible side-effects, to cure.

Through the various initiatives of the Government, the Prime Minister highlighted how each had contributed to the elimination of middlemen.

He said that in the last year, the CBI had registered 1800 cases against corruption, as against 800 in the year before that.

Modi said important steps had been taken in the drive against black money, and the outflow of unaccounted income to foreign destinations had been checked.

The Prime Minister stressed on the need for farmers' welfare, and declared that the Ministry of Agriculture would be renamed as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

He said that his Government was focusing on raising farm productivity, and providing electricity and irrigation to farmers. He said the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana had been launched with an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore.

Modi recalled some of the resolves he had made in his Independence Day address last year. He said the promise of toilets in all schools had been almost fulfilled, with the cooperation of States.

He said financial inclusion had received a big boost with the opening of 17 crore bank accounts through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

He said the Rs. 20,000 crore deposited in the Jan Dhan accounts reflected the "richness of India's poor".

The Prime Minister also spoke of the welfare schemes launched by the Union Government, including Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, and the schemes launched for labour welfare.

Describing children as the greatest brand ambassadors for "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan," the Prime Minister said this vision had generated great interest for the people of India.

The Prime Minister announced the "Start-Up India" initiative, which would encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of India. He said each of the 1.25 lakh bank branches, should encourage at least one Dalit or Adivasi entrepreneur, and at least one woman entrepreneur. "Start-Up India, Stand-Up India," the Prime Minister said.

On the long-standing demand from ex-serviceman for One-Rank, One-Pension, the Prime Minister reiterated that the demand had been accepted by the Government "in-principle." He said the modalities were being worked out with stakeholders, and he was hopeful of a positive outcome.

The Prime Minister reiterated his Government's resolve to make India a developed nation by 2022, with a house and access to basic services like electricity, to all. He said the Government had resolved to connect with electricity, all the 18,500 villages which still remain without power, within the next 1000 days. He also reiterated his vision for the development of eastern India.

Questioning the practice of "interviews" for recruitments even at relatively junior levels, the Prime Minister called upon concerned departments to end this practice at the earliest, and to promote merit by recruiting only through transparent, online processes.