From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 1: With no gala celebrations to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi regime’s first year anniversary of the second term on account of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown across the country, Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa held a news conference in Bengaluru and praised Modi for ‘successfully completing one year of the second term’ and said the country was ‘surging ahead in the path of progress under the exceptional and far-sighted leadership’.
Addressing media persons Yediyurappa said the Prime Minister was leading the country forward towards development with his mantra of Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Vishwas principle and inclusive schemes.
Modi is spearheading the cause of building a strong and self-reliant Bharath and the mantra of 'Vasudaiva Kutumbakam', the chief minister said and hailed that the Prime Minister is recognised as an exceptional leader not only in India but also at the global level.
Yediyurappa listed the Modi regime’s decisions of last one year such as termination of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir; Formation of Jammu- Kashmir and Ladakh as Union Territories; Finding a solution to Ram Mandir issue; Banning the practice of triple talaq among Muslims; Vande Bharath Mission; Amendment to the Citizenship Act; One Country-One Ration Card scheme; New Motor Vehicle Act; Launch of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi; Monthly pensions to farmers, farm labourers, small shop keepers and workers in the unorganized sectors; Anti-terrorism Law and many other bold and historical measures.
"He (Modi) is the reason behind the country’s development in all spheres," Yediyurappa said.
He also lauded the implementation of the Ayushmaan Bharat scheme; Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Scheme; Ujwala Scheme; Make in India and other pro-people schemes.
The CM said the recent ‘Aathmanirbhar Bharath Abhiyan’ has played a decisive role in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in India and said Modi has ‘competently handled a huge challenge of combating the COVID-19 Pandemic in a country with a population of 130 crore people’.
Modi has implemented the most stringent lockdown restrictions in the world to control the spread of COVID-19 and achieved remarkable success, Yediyurappa said and claimed that ‘India has been noticed globally for the measures it undertook to fight the virus. Leaders from different countries have applauded our proactive action.'
Yediyurappa said the Prime Minister was in constant touch with all the chief ministers of the country and also held regular video conferences and prepared all of us for the unified fight against coronavirus. As per the Prime Minister’s call to convert challenges into opportunities, the entire nation has declared a war against the pandemic.
The ban on the import of PPE kits, ventilators and N95 masks is a mark of India’s self-reliance. These equipment are now being produced in the country, the CM said. He praised the Rs 21 lac crore economic package that has been announced to revive the economic crisis due to coronavirus.
The government led by Modi has made great accomplishments in the field of health, agriculture, drinking water, information technology, education and space science. The gap between the cities and the villages has reduced considerably due to the government’s policies, the CM added.
"For the first time in India’s history, Rs 3000 monthly pension is being provided to farmers, farm labourers, small shop keepers and workers in the unorganized sectors and all states in the country are taking giant strides towards the path of development,’’ the CM asserted.
Karnataka has also put in all efforts to realise the aspirations of the Prime Minister and the state government has extended its help to people who are affected due to lockdown on account of COVID-19, Yediyurappa said explaining that Rs 1,610 crore relief package has been announced to help washermen, barbers, auto and taxi drivers along with another Rs 612 crore package to help the construction workers and also to provide relief to flower/vegetable growers and weavers; ASHA health workers who are frontline warriors in the fight against corona will get Rs 3000 as an incentive.
Yediyurappa said under Modi’s leadership the ruling BJP won 303 seats in Lok Sabha and the ruling NDA secured 353 seats to provide a stable government. In Karnataka, several stalwarts like Mallikarjuna Kharge, K H Muniyappa and H D Deve Gowda were defeated and the BJP bagged 25 out of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.