Reforms needed on larger scale with common man at the centre: Modi
STRAIGHT TALK Says high FDI rate and good rains raises hopes that coming days will be better
In his interview to CNN News18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on a host of issues from economic reforms to fighting corruption to charges of political vendetta. He also advised the media to stop wasting time on interviewing politicians and take more interviews of sportspersons. Excerpts: ON THE ECONOMY
There was a paralysis in the government. Investors had started looking out. Our intentions were strong and policies clear. Today, we have the highest amount of foreign direct investment in the country after Independence. At 7%, we are the fastest growing economy. The rains have been good. This has raised hopes that coming days will be better. ON PRIVATE INVESTMENT
Past issues have hit private investment, which I am trying to fix. I held a session with bankers and told them there will be no call from the government to you. My motto is, ‘short cut will cut you short’. ON REFORMS
Our systems, processes, forms were so complicated. These small things need to be improved. Even today there is licence raj in some areas and that needs to go. The reforms have to be done on a larger scale. At the centre of our reforms is the common man. ON POLITICAL VENDETTA
I have neither thought about this (vendatta), nor will I ever do so. I have been a CM for 14 years and have never opened any file due to political considerations. It has been over two years at the Centre. The government has given no instruction to open any file. ON BLACK MONEY
We have made legal changes so that black money circulating in the country can be curbed. There’s a scheme running till September 30 for those still willing to come in the mainstream. No one should blame me if I take tough decisions after it. ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Poverty alleviation has been a political slogan and a lot of politics has also happened on poverty. Programmes for poverty alleviation have also been started keeping elections in mind. My path is different. We have to empower the poor. ON LUTYEN’S DELHI POLITICS
In Delhi’s power corridors, there’s an active group dedicated to only a few. Look at what happened with Sardar Patel — this group presented him as a villager with ordinary intellect. This same group never talked about Morarji Desai’s abilities but always said what he drank. What happened with Deve Gowda? A farmer’s son became the PM yet they said he only sleeps. ON JAMMU AND KASHMIR
When we talk about J&K, we should take the entire picture of Jammu, Valley and Ladakh region into account. We will proceed together maintaining peace, unity and goodwill so that Kashmir will remain heaven. Kashmiris need development and trust. ON CORRUPTION
If Ganga is clean at Gaumukh, it will become pure while flowing down. We have taken steps to neutralise chances of corruption. We can stop low level corruption through policies and technology.