World Bank ranking is recognition for our work: Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India has improved 42 ranks on the World Bank’s ease of doing business ranking in a short span of three years, which was a recognition of his government’s work and slammed the opposition for voicing doubts over it.

Modi said he did not want to “sleep” over the 30 place jump this year - the biggest leap by India ever, and wants to do more.

Speaking at ‘India’s Business Reforms’ event at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra here, Modi said India has reached a position from where it is easier to improve further.

“Our efforts have gathered momentum. The World Bank has recognised the tremendous work done by us to improve the ease of doing business. In the short time of three years, we have moved up 42 ranks. India has delivered with the highest improvement in rank in a year,” Modi said on the economy.

Taking a dig at the opposition, the Prime Minister said those who had worked with the World Bank previously were now raising doubts over India’s ranking.

“Some people do not understand the impact of India’s ranking going up from 142 to 100, they are not bothered by it. After coming up 42 positions from 142, I don’t feel like sleeping,” he said.

Modi also said: “I am a Prime Minister who has never seen the World Bank building even while those who were there (in government) earlier knew the World Bank very well. They are now questioning the World Bank ranking.”

Jump in ease of doing business ranking is an example of good governance, Modi said. Our mantra is ‘reform’, ‘transform’ and ‘perform’”, Modi said.

On the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Modi said GST is the biggest tax reform in the history of India and it was “fulfilling global expectations”.

The Prime Minister said that bringing change to the country and its 1.25 billion people was his mission. He said India would be at an even better place in 2018 ranking since issues raised by traders, businesses on GST have been positively accepted by the government.