PM Modi is addressing his second Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused in his Independence Day address today on measures his "Team India" has rolled out to include millions of poor Indians in the banking and insurance systems, policies for workers and farmers and successes in the battles against inflation and corruption.
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"This is Team India, a team of 125 crore Indians. This is the team that takes our nation to new heights," Prime Minister Modi said in his address, weaving his theme of collective power through rhetoric and report cards as he detailed progress on flagship initiatives he had announced from this venue last year.
"Are we not team India?" asked ex-servicemen disappointed that the PM's speech did not include an announcement on implementing "One Rank One Pension" or OROP, a longstanding demand for pension parity.
In his speech the Prime Minister acknowledged that he was yet to resolve OROP, but said his government was committed to it and was "expecting something positive," as final consultations were on.
The Prime Minister talked at length about the need to eradicate the "termite of corruption" and reported success in the fight against black money. The PM said Rs 6,500 crore of undisclosed foreign assets has been declared after a new law was brought in.
The PM said "there are now 17 crore accounts" as a result of his Jan Dhan Yojna or the banks accounts for all scheme he announced exactly a year ago from the Red Fort. "The poor have deposited 20,000 crore in bank accounts," PM Modi said.
He also made a mention of his cleanliness campaign, Swachh Bharat, also announced in his Independence Day address last year. "I had raised eyebrows by talking about toilets at the Red Fort...I thank team India for making 4.25 lakh toilets," the PM said.
"Farmers need protection. For 60 years very little attention was paid to their welfare. We want to change this approach," the PM said announcing a new ministry for farmers.
He did not talk about his flagship "Make in India" project aimed at speeding up India's industrial revolution, and made no reference to weeks of opposition protests in parliament that have stalled his plans for pro-industry land and tax reforms.
Instead he announced a new campaign "Start-up India, Stand up India" to promote bank financing for start-ups and offer incentives to boost entrepreneurship and job creation. The initiative, he said, will encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of India.
He stressed on people participation. "Be it MyGov, letters from citizens, Mann Ki Baat, communication with people...the participation of people is increasing," PM Modi said.
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