Cong delayed major projects: Modi

Previous Congress regime at the Centre used tactics of hindering, delaying and diverting (atkana, latkana and bhatkana) of major infrastructure projects and affect the growth of the country in past six decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

Addressing the mammoth gathering at Nehru Stadium after inaugurating Bidar-Kalaburagi railway line in Bidar on Sunday, he said, when NDA came to power it found several hundred major projects struck in the middle. Then deadline was set for officials to achieve targets and complete projects, he said.

Referring to Bidar-Kalaburagi railway line, he said, project was envisaged during 1999 when Atal Bihari Vajypayee was the prime minister. But due to neglect of successive Congress governments at the Centre it was delayed for 17 years to complete. "However, when people gave us the responsibility to complete works, we took it on priority," he said.

Submitting report card of his three-year governance, Modi noted that work of laying new tracks was almost doubled during three years of NDA rule compared to last three years of UPA. The Centre decided to electrify 21,000 villages which remained without electricity in 21st century too. On agriculture front Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana turned out to be a major relief to farmers, he said.

Explaining steps initiated to fight against graft, PM Modi said, after demonetisation, the Centre identified three lakh bogus companies indulged in financial wrong doings and ordered their closure. Details of 5,000 more companies are being probed and financial transaction of Rs 4,000 crore was found to be fake. Despite initiating stern action against such fake firms, nowhere one could find criticising Modi for taking such harsh measures to curb graft, he said. Pointing to Goods and Service Tax (GST), he said, it was implemented after holding due consultation with all stake holders. Though there might be some glitches, they could be overcome with necessary changes. Traders who join GST need not have to fear for their past transactions, he said.

The Centre will assure all such traders that no officials will harass them raking up old issues and if they do find any trouble in this regard they should write to the PM, he said.

Earlier, BJP State President and former CM B S Yeddyurappa said, BJP soon going to launch Nava Karnataka campaign to unseat Congress in State.