'You Called Me and Here I Am,' Says PM Modi in Poll-Bound Bihar

Arrah, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a number of road projects at an event at Arrah in Bihar.

Here are the highlights of what he said:
 

• I salute the Governor, ministers and other dignitaries present at this function to inaugurate this road project.
• Nitin Gadkari is the man who in revolutionized roads in Maharashtra.
• We have come with a plan to connect every corner of Bihar with the nation.
• I returned this morning from Dubai.
• People who make my schedule asked me how will you get up so early.
• My officers were worried but you called, so I came.
• Whether it is women's safety or laying roads in Bihar, we will change the face of Bihar.
• My friend Rajiv Pratap Rudy, has taken the responsibility of skill development for crores of people in the country.
• The government in Delhi does not work in bits and pieces.
• The crown prince of Abu Dhabi has promised an investment of Rs 4.5 lakh crore.
• But the factories that this investment will set up, will be of no use without skilled labour.
• That's why we have the 'Skill India' programme.
• If we want factories in Bihar, do we not need electricity in Bihar?
• Do we not need power plants here?
• In my speech on August 15, I spoke of 'Startup India, Stand up India'.
• We have uncountable youth in our country who have the ability to do something.
• But they don't get an opportunity.
• We are knocking on the 70th year of Independence.
• I had come to Bihar recently.
• I had said Bihar is counted among 'bimaru' (sick) states.
• We have to bring them out of t them out.
• So the Chief Minister took offense.
• He said Bihar is no longer a 'bimaru' state.
• I accept your argument. And if it is true, I will be the happiest
• I repeat, what the CM has said - Bihar is no longer a Bimaru state - I welcome this statement if it is true.
• I want to ask you (people here), if Bihar becomes self-empowered, would people go out looking for work?
• If whole the India has to progress, we will have to take the entire east along.
• Whether it is UP, WB, Bihar, Odisha, Assam - till they progress, the country will not.
• So far Bihar has received two packages, one during the divide of Jharkhand.
• In 2003, keeping in mind the state's needs the package was announced.
• Then the government changed in Delhi.
• And I have to say this bitter truth which the people must know.
• The package that Atal Bihari Vajpayee announces, Bihar didn't use it.
• The government in Delhi treated Bihar like a kid and gave a chocolate.
• It gave just 12,000 crore rupees. Of this, only 4,000 crore was spent.
• And that too, most of it happened after you put us in Delhi.
• Tell me what kind of government is this. Haven't been able to spend 8,000 crores.
• I had promised Bihar would get a 50,000 crore package.
• I came, but I couldn't announce it then, because Parliament was in session.
• And it was my Constitutional duty to keep silent on the package.
• For this too they attacked me.
• With Jayaprakash Narayan's blessings, I will announce the package for Bihar.
• Shall I announce a package of 50,000 crore?
• Or, shall I announce a package of 60,000 crore?
• Or, shall I announce a package of 70,000 crore?
• Or, shall I announce a package of 80,000 crore?
• No, I promise you today, that the government in Delhi will give Bihar 1.25 lakh crore.
• But the work that has already started, projects in which work has started but spending hasn't.
• More than 8000 crore is left from the last package.
• Combined with the balance from existing packages, Bihar will get a total of 1.65 lakh crore.
• This will change the fate of Bihar.
• If we have to rid our country of problems, we have to take the path of progress.