Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday during No-Confidence Motion debate presented NDA's report card in Lok Sabha and asserted that India is currently one of the fastest growing economy of the world.
During the discussion, Sitharaman said that in 9 years, the economy rose and saw economic development due to the policies of our govt - despite COVID. "In 2013, Morgan Stanley had included India in the list of five fragile economies of the world. India was declared a fragile economy. Today, the same Morgan Stanley upgraded India and gave it a higher rating. In just 9 years, the economy rose and saw economic development due to the policies of our govt - despite COVID. Today, we are the fastest growing economy of the world," Sitharaman said.
"So, India is in a rare position of being optimistic and positive about its future growth," Sitharaman added.
Taking a dig at the UPA, Sitharaman accussed them of only selling dreams but NDA realising all those. "Transformation comes through actual delivery, and not through spoken words. You show dreams to people. We make their dreams a reality. We believe in empowering all and appeasement of none," Sitharaman said. ""Our DBT story sets an example for the rest of the world. I recognise the operationalisation of DBT by UPA but only Rs 7,367 crores were transferred in 2013-14. From that amount, DBT transfers have increased 5 times by 2014-15 itself. In the last Financial Year, Rs 7.16 lakh crores have been transferred through DBT," she added.
Taking a dig at the UPA, Sitharaman accussed them of only selling dreams but NDA realised all those. "Transformation comes through actual delivery, and not through spoken words. You show dreams to people. We make their dreams a reality. We believe in empowering all and appeasement of none," Sitharaman said.
On Economy
Talking about the striving Indian economy, Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Global economy grew just over 3 per cent in 2022 and the World Bank is now forecasting that it will decline to 2.1 per cent in 2023. Our real GDP growth in 2022-23 stood at 7.2 per cent. It is projected to grow at 6.5 per cent in 2023-24. These projections are given by several global agencies, and our own RBI projection is also the same."
Attack on DMK
"I agree that women suffering anywhere - Manipur, Delhi, Rajasthan - will have to be taken seriously. No politics played. But I want to remind this entire House of one incident which happened on 25th March 1989 in Tamil Nadu Assembly. Then she hadn't become CM Jayalalithaa's saree was pulled in Tamil Nadu in the Assembly. She was the LoP. The DMK members who were seated there, heckled her and laughed at her...Has DMK forgotten Jayalalithaa? You pulled her saree, you demeaned her. That day Jayalalithaa took an oath that she will never come to the House unless she becomes the CM. Two years later, she returned as the CM of Tamil Nadu..."
On Sengol
"...When PM Modi restored it (Sengol) to its rightful place in Lok Sabha, that became an issue, that is an insult of the Tamils. The Sengol was ignored for decades. The Sengol was lost in history and kept in some museum. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam showed how Tamil Nadu and Kashi have very deep connections. The first time you heard Tamil being quoted in the United Nations. In 'Mann ki Baat', PM has used Tamil so many times."
On Tomato prices
"Procuring of tomatoes from tomato growing regions of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and also Karnataka and distribution of these through cooperative societies like NCCF, NAFED are all happening. Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan - this has already started from 14th July and this will continue. Also in Delhi, mobile vans are distributing as outlets of NCCF and NAFED and also the Kendriya Bhandar. As on date, NCCF has distributed 8,84,612 kgs of tomatoes in Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh & this will continue in the coming days and this will be increased also...Already the prices of tomatoes in the wholesale mandis in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have started coming down below Rs 100 and we expect this to help us. As of today, we have booked tomatoes through Kolar mandi - coming to Delhi at Rs 85/kg...We have also initiated imports from Nepal by removing the import restrictions and the first lot of tomatoes from Nepal are likely to reach Varanasi, Kanpur by Friday itself. NCCF is planning a mega-sale of tomatoes in Delhi-NCR at a subsidised rate of Rs 70/kg this weekend and covering all nooks and corners of Delhi."
