OROP - PM reiterated that the demand had been accepted by the Government “in-principle” and he was hopeful of a positive outcome
“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”.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Prime Minister’s Office
15-August-2015 10:39 IST
PM’s address to the nation on 69th Independence Day
PM: The termite of corruption will be
rooted out by “Team India.” Government’s initiatives have eliminated
corruption in various sectors
PM emphasizes on farmers’ welfare, raising agricultural productivity
PM: OROP accepted “in-principle”, modalities being worked out
PM: Start-Up India, Stand-Up India
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi,
today highlighted the resolve of 125 crore Indians, as “Team India”, to
root out corruption, and to make India a developed nation by 2022 – the
75th anniversary of independence.
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. He 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.
The Prime Minister 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.
The Prime Minister 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” (गरीबों की
अमीरी).
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.
