Modi government has changed scale of thinking: Amit Shah

Modi government has created “Brand India” that being recognized across the globe, Shah said.

Amit Shah urged FICCI to make use of this changed image to develop Indian business and economy.

He said the BJP is focusing on long term goals rather than short-term gains.

He said the effort of the Modi government is to make the process of reforms into a process of transforming the country Listing various policy decisions of the Centre, he said total direct tax payers has doubled in last 3 years from 3.7 crore to 6.4 crore.

He said the Centre opened 30 crore new bank accounts expanding the base of formal economy.

Amit Shah maintained that "from 8.5 crore people in 2014, direct benefit transfers have now reached over 36 crore people today."

He mentioned that earlier Rs 59,000 crore worth of subsidies were siphoned off under corruption.

He said such measures will not only increase the GDP but also improve the living standards of the people.

He said that for 10 years, the UPA government reigned before 2014.

The GDP was 4.7 percent, while current account deficit rose to 5 percent, Shah said.

There was double-digit inflation. UPA government during its 10-year rule was riddled with scams and there was complete Policy Paralysis. On the contrary, in the last three years, there has been decisive and focused approach to policy making.

He said that the present Modi government has changed the way we now look at GDP which is how it will impact the lives of 125 crore people.

He further emphasized that GDP is not only limited to production, services and infrastructure but also it includes improving overall quality of life and social capital.

He mentioned electricity penetration, building new toilets and providing a LPG connections to the poor as among the initiatives in this direction.

Praising the BJP government, he said that the Narendra Modi regime is taking a long-term view of reforms.

He further said that every policy decision of Modi government is only after evaluating past decisions and its impact in foreseeable future by advanced planning of next steps in that direction.

With reference to the landmark Goods and Services Tax (GST) rollout, he said that it will reap benefits in the next 10 years.

He further said that under previous tax structure, there were 17 different taxes, but now under GST, there is 'One Country, One Tax’.

He also emphasized that there was extensive discussions will all the states and other stake holders before implementing GST nationwide.

He said that demonetization will boost the formal economy while adding further that black money has come into the government’s treasury and it is being used for the benefit of the public.

"We have also stopped flow of black money into the system through Mauritius, Cyprus and Singapore," he said.

Shah said that the historic Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh has opened up entire Eastern belt for trade and business which will specifically boost growth in North East India that has been neglected for the last 70 years.

Charting out the future plan for the growth of industry and economy, Shah made some significant points.

Shah urged the industry in India to visualize for itself a greater and dynamic global role because today India has reached such stage.

He specifically mentioned African countries which have immense investment potentials.

Image: BJP website