Finance
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several key development projects in Delhi. Addressing a large gathering, Shri Modi extended his New Year greetings and expressed confidence that 2025 would be a year of immense opportunities for India’s development, propelling the nation towards its goal of becoming the world’s third-largest economy. “Today, India stands as a global symbol of political and economic stability,” said the Prime Minister. He further added that the country’s image would be further strengthened in the coming year. Shri Modi outlined the vision for 2025, emphasizing it as the year for India to become the world’s largest manufacturing hub, empower youth for start-ups and entrepreneurship, set new agricultural records, promote women-led development, and improve the quality of life for every citizen by focusing on ease of living.
Congratulating the people on the occasion, the Prime Minister remarked that the projects inaugurated today consisted of houses for the poor and projects related to schools and colleges. He greeted those people and women in particular, who he said were starting a new innings in a way. He added that Pucca houses were in place of Jhuggis and Own houses in place of rented houses, indeed meant a new beginning. Shri Modi remarked that the houses allotted to the people symbolised a house of self-respect, self-esteem and new aspirations and dreams. He added that he was present to be a part of their celebration and festivities. Recalling the dark days of Emergency in the past, Shri Modi said that he and many other party workers like him who were part of the underground movement against Emergency stayed at Ashok Vihar.
“The entire country is engaged towards the making of Viksit Bharat today”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He added that we are working with a resolution to ensure that every citizen of India would have a pucca house in developed India. He further remarked that Delhi has a major role in the accomplishment of this resolution. Therefore, he added that the Central Government had started a scheme to replace the Jhuggis with Pucca houses. The Prime Minister recalled that two years ago, he had the opportunity to inaugurate more than 3,000 houses in Kalkaji Extension for the Jhuggi Dwellers. He added that those families in which many generations had lived in Jhuggis without any hopes had moved into Pucca houses for the first time. He further recalled that he said it was just the beginning. Shri Modi highlighted that keys to around 1,500 houses were given to the people today. “Swabhiman apartments will boost the self-respect of the people further,” he added. The Prime Minister said he realised that there was a new excitement and energy amongst the beneficiaries during his interaction with them earlier in the day. He added that no matter who the owner of the house was, but they were all part of his family.
Emphasising the government’s commitment, the Prime Minister said in the last 10 years, his government has fulfilled the dreams of owning a pucca house of over 4 crore people. He asked the crowd to spread the word that all those currently living without a roof will surely get a home with all the basic facilities. Shri Modi said such steps will boost the self-esteem of a poor person and instill them with confidence which is the real energy of Viksit Bharat. He also announced the construction of nearly 3000 new houses in Delhi, adding that in the coming year thousands of new houses will be made available for the city’s residents. Shri Modi further said, “A large number of government employees live in these areas, and the houses they occupied were quite old. The construction of new, modern housing will provide them with improved living standards, reflecting our commitment to their well-being.” In the light of the expanding population and urbanization in the city, the Prime Minister announced that the Central government is further accelerating the development of Delhi’s infrastructure by speeding up the construction of the Narela sub-city.
Emphasizing the critical role of cities in shaping a developed India, the Prime Minister noted that these urban centers are where people from all over the country come to pursue their dreams. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing quality housing and education to all citizens. “Our cities are the foundation of a developed India. People come here with big dreams, and they work hard to make those dreams a reality. The Central government is committed to providing every family in our cities with a quality life,” the Prime Minister stated. Outlining the significant strides taken in the housing sector, the Prime Minister mentioned the successful implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), under which over 1 crore homes have been constructed across the country in the last decade. “In the last 10 years, over 30,000 new homes have been built in Delhi under this scheme. We are now expanding this effort, and in the next phase, one crore more homes will be constructed for urban poor families across the country,” he added. The Prime Minister also highlighted the financial assistance provided to middle-class families, including large subsidies on home loan interest rates for those earning under ₹9 lakh annually he affirmed. “Our government is ensuring that every family, whether poor or middle-class, has the opportunity to own a good home,” he added.
On the education front, the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s focus on improving access to quality education and opportunities for all children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. “Every family dreams that their children will receive the best education, and the Central government is working towards providing top-tier schools, colleges, and universities across the country,” he stated. The Prime Minister also praised the National Education Policy (NEP), which emphasizes teaching in mother tongues to ensure that children from all backgrounds, including marginalized communities, have the opportunity to succeed. “Under the new National Education Policy, children from poor families now have a clearer path to becoming doctors, engineers, and professionals,” he noted. Shri Modi also acknowledged the crucial role of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in improving India’s education system. He announced the construction of a new CBSE building to support the expansion of modern educational practices. “The new CBSE building will help expand modern education and the adoption of advanced examination methods,” he said.
The Prime Minister underscored that in the field of higher education, the reputation of Delhi University is continuously growing stronger. “Our effort is to provide more opportunities for higher education to the youth of Delhi right here. Today, the foundation stones for new campuses have been laid, which will allow hundreds of students to study at DU annually. The long-awaited Eastern and Western campuses will now be developed in Surajmal Vihar and Dwarka, respectively”, Shri Modi added. Additionally, a new college in the name of Veer Savarkar ji will also be built in Najafgarh.
The Prime Minister remarked that on one side, the Central Government is making efforts for the education system in Delhi, while on the other side, there are the outright lies of the state government.The state government of Delhi has caused significant harm, particularly by mismanaging funds meant for education. “The situation is such that the funds allocated under the “Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan” were not even spent on the children’s education by the state government. The past 10 years have been marked by corruption and scams in various sectors such as liquor contracts, school education, healthcare for the poor, pollution control, and recruitment. Some hardcore corrupt individuals, using Anna Hazare as a front, have pushed Delhi into this crisis”, Shri Modi added. The Prime Minister further stated that Delhi has always envisioned good governance but the ruling state government has failed to deliver on its promises and has only worsened the situation. As a result, the people of Delhi are determined to fight against this crisis, vowing to bring change and rid the city of this corruption.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the Central Government is handling major projects in Delhi like roads, metro systems, hospitals, and college campuses. However, the state government has failed to fulfill its responsibilities, especially in areas like the cleaning of the Yamuna River. Neglecting the Yamuna River has led to a crisis where people are left with dirty water, he added.
Shri Modi emphasised that his goal is to ensure that the benefits of good national schemes reach Delhi. The Central Government’s plans have provided the poor and middle class with both financial benefits and savings. He said the government is also making electricity bills zero and offering opportunities for families to produce electricity. Shri Modi said through the Pradhanmantri Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, families are becoming electricity producers, with the Central Government offering Rs 78,000 to help install solar panels.
Shri Modi underscored that the Central Government is providing free ration to nearly 75 lakh needy people in Delhi. The “One Nation, One Ration Card” scheme has been a great help to the people of Delhi.
The Prime Minister stated that around 500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established in Delhi to provide affordable medicines at over 80% discounts, helping people save thousands of rupees every month. Shri Modi underlined that he wants to provide the people of Delhi with the benefits of the Ayushman Scheme, which offers free treatment but the state government is not allowing the Ayushman Scheme to be implemented here in Delhi. As a result, the people of Delhi are suffering.
Emphasizing the Central government’s commitment to improving the lives of the people of Delhi through the world’s largest health insurance scheme, the Prime Minister said, “The Central government has extended the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to include elderly citizens above the age of 70. However, the people of Delhi, especially the elderly, are not benefiting from this due to the selfishness, arrogance, and stubbornness of the state government.” He expressed that the central government was working with full sensitivity to address the needs of Delhi’s residents. Shri Modi also highlighted the Central government’s efforts to regularize colonies in Delhi adding that it benefitted lakhs of people. He criticized the state government for failing to provide essential services like water and sewerage. Shri Modi assured the people of Delhi of resolving these issues.
Highlighting the ongoing progress in Delhi’s infrastructure development, such as the provision of piped natural gas to every home and the construction of new highways and expressways, the Prime Minister said, “Because the state has no interference in these projects, work is progressing swiftly. These developments are crucial to improving the lives of Delhi’s residents.” He also mentioned the recent traffic solutions proposed for including the construction of a tunnel from Shiv Murti to Nelson Mandela Marg, and the connection of several key expressways.The Prime Minister said these proposals have been approved and will significantly reduce traffic congestion in the future.
The Prime Minister concluded his address by outlining his vision for 2025. “The year 2025 will bring a new era of good governance in Delhi. It will strengthen the spirit of ‘Nation First, Countrymen First,’ and mark the launch of a new politics focused on nation-building and public welfare,” Shri Modi stated. He congratulated those who were handed over keys to their houses and people of Delhi for the new educational institutions.
The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Source: PIB
