Panaji, November 13, 2016 …. “When I meet world leaders today, they all talk highly of Goa. The respect of India increases because of Goa,” said the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi as he digitally laid the foundation stone for the Greenfield International airport at Mopa, the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster at Tuem and Phase 3 A-Goa Shipyard Limited and commencement of construction of Coast Guard OPV project at Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Stadium in Taleigao. The Prime Minister congratulated the people of Goa for the progress it has made like the successful hosting of the BRICS Summit in October this year.
Shri Modi spoke of how Goa recently won in so many parameters in the best small state category in an independent survey conducted by a reputed media house. “As Chief Minister of Gujarat, when Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister of Goa, I used to carefully study the schemes Manohar Parrikar implemented and he used to understand the issues of poor people. Today, Goa has schemes like the Griha Aadhar scheme, the Dayanand Social Security scheme for senior citizens, the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana, which no other state in the country has.
Speaking highly of Shri Manohar Parrikar, Shri Modi said, “Akbar had nine ratnas. I have many ratnas with me and one of the shinning one is Manohar Parrikar whom the people of Goa have given me. Ever since he took over the Defence Ministry, he has sorted so many issues, that no one can point a finger against the Ministry.”
Shri Modi further said, “The BJP government in Goa has brought political stability to the state. I congratulate Manohar Parrikar for bringing about a certain political culture to Goa. He had to face a lot for that, had to lose friends, but he took Goa to greater heights. Choosing a stable government is in the hands of the people, the Goans understood it that’s why I congratulate the people of Goa.”Shri Modi added, “I see Goa heading to a future that’s youth driven, digitally trained and most modern.”
The Prime Minister further spoke of the issue of the demonitization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, which he said was an important step to deal with corruption and black money. “I have only done what my country asked me to when they elected me. That is to fight black money. I didn’t keep my country in the dark. There were several measures that we took prior to this decision. One was to impose excise duty on jewellers which we did by giving them assurance that those who exploit them would be dealt with firmly. We had a scheme where those who had not declared their assets or paid their taxes were given the opportunity to do so. Through this and through raids, the country recovered crores of money. We also asked everyone to open their bank account through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.” Shri Modi further said, “The world is progressing but corruption is spoiling India’s future and the future of our youth. This step of demonization is not the end of the fight against corruption and black money. There are more projects in my mind which will come to fight corruption and black money.”
Shri Modi thanked the people working in the banking sector for working hard in this situation. “I ask you all to give me time till December 30. I have faith in the honest citizens of this country.”
Goa’s Chief Minister, Shri Laxmikant Parsekar, said that ever since Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi came to power at the Centre, the State has been getting a lot of funds approved whereby it was able to carry out various infrastructural developments.”Shri Parsekar said, “The State got the opportunity to host international events like the BRICS Summit, the Defence Expo which has enhanced Goa’s global profile. Beautiful Goa which is known for tourism is also being now recognised as an event destination.” Talking of the projects his government has done he said that these major projects will also lead to peripheral development, which will boost the economy and give employment to Goans.
India’s Defence Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar, expressed his gratitude to Shri Narendra Modi, and said that after Shri Modi’s government came to power at the Centre, the most infrastructural development carried out among all states was in Goa. He said that all the projects planned in Goa were linked to skill development, without which, generating employment would not have been possible.
Earlier, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati spoke of how the aviation sector had recorded phenomenal growth under Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. He said that the national civil aviation policy announced recently was a boost to the growth momentum. Shri Pusapati said that new airport in Goa would help to unlock tourism potential, improve connectivity, enhance trade opportunities and boost Goa’s revenue.
Also present on the occasion was the Union Minister of State for Ayush, Shri Shripad Naik, Member of Parliament, South Goa, Shri Narendra Sawaikar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Francis D’Souza, Minister for Forest, Environment and Panchayat, Shri Rajendra Arlekar, MLA of Panaji constituency, Shri Sidharth Kuncalienker and others.
