Countering criticism over the government’s failure to create enough jobs, the Centre on Monday said that it has provided self-employment to over 7 crore people by providing loans under MUDRA scheme.
"Over Rs 7 crore people have been given loan under Prime Minister MUDRA Mission. The loans have been given for entrepreneurship and the loans are being paid back. But those people have now been self-employed and probably have given jobs to others too," she told India TV Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma.
Speaking at India TV conclave 'Samvaad', Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani was critical of the previous UPA government over closure of mills.
"UPA government closed many textile mills during its 10 years of rule. There is even a case against a district-level Congress leader in connection with the theft of equipment of textile mill. Now people hope that the closed mills will be reopened by Modi government," Irani claimed.
She said that UPA government disbanded Textile Commissioner's office which provided data on employment in the sector which has been brought back by Modi government.
Questioning Congress' intention on employment, Irani said the party led by Sonia Gandhi stopped Labour Law reforms in the Rajya Sabha.
Asked to comment on Congress leader Kapil Sibal's statement reminding her "bangles for Manmohan Singh" after Indian soldier Hemraj was beheaded by Pakistan Army, Irani said the government is making all attempts to bring back Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been sentenced to death by Pakistan militray court.
"As we are speaking here, India is making its case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to save Kulbhushan Jadhav. I want to ask Sibal ji how many times he or the UPA government approached ICJ to save Indian lives. How many times Sibal ji went to ICJ to fight for Indian lives," she said.
Launching an attack on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi against whom she contested Lok Sabha election from Amethi in 2014, Irani said "we wait for him to speak."
When asked about the closure of Rahul Gandhi's office in Amethi, Irani said, "Rahul Gandhi's office was running at the land intended for guest house attached to a hospital. People had many times complained to district administration but no action was taken as the then Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had stopped it. But after his government was gone, administration said it should be closed. I have read that Rahul Gandhi himself gave up the office."
When asked about Modi government's steps for women security, the minister said that the Centre has taken many steps on women safety but there was a lot to be done. She also rejected the charge that Nirbhaya remains unused.
Commenting on RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's statement that there was no anger against recent Rohtak rape case as compared to the Nirbhaya case, Irani said, "It is inhumane to say that one rape is different from others. The reason for anger after Nirbhaya rape was that govt was not receptive or responsive. Govt has taken swift action in Rohtak gang rape and people believe there will be no compromise with justice."
