India's Interim Budget 2024, presented by Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman,

lays out the government's spending plans for the first half of the upcoming fiscal year.

1. Welfare

With the pursuit of ‘Sabka Saath’ in these 10

years, the Government has assisted 25 Cr people
to get freedom from multi-dimensional poverty.

‘Direct Benefit Transfer’ of 34 Lakh Cr from the

Government using PM-Jan Dhan accounts has
led to savings of 2.7 Lakh Cr for the Government.

PM-SVANidhi has provided credit assistance to

78 Lakh street vendors. From that total, 2.3 Lakh
have received credit for the third time.

PM-JANMAN Yojana reaches out to the particularly vulnerable tribal groups, who have remained
outside the realm of development so far.

PM-Vishwakarma Yojana provides end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18

trades.

Every year, under PM-KISAN SAMMAN Yojana, direct financial assistance is provided to 11.8 Cr
farmers, including marginal and small farmers. Crop insurance is given to 4 Cr farmers under PM
Fasal Bima Yojana.

2. Empowering Youth

The National Education Policy 2020 is ushering in transformational reforms. PM Schools for
Rising India (PM SHRI) are delivering quality teaching, and nurturing holistic and well-rounded
individuals.

The Skill India Mission has trained 1.4 Cr youth, upskilled and reskilled 54 Lakh youth, and
established 3000 new ITIs.

Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party 01

A large number of new institutions of higher
learning, namely 7 IITs, 16 IIITs, 7 IIMs, 15 AIIMS
and 390 universities have been set up.

PM Mudra Yojana has sanctioned 43 Cr loans

aggregating to 22.5 Lakh Cr for the
entrepreneurial aspirations of our youth.
Besides that, Fund of Funds, Start-Up India,
and Start-Up Credit Guarantee schemes are
assisting our youth.

3. Women Empowerment

Thirty Cr Mudra Yojana loans have been given

to women entrepreneurs. Female enrolment in
higher education has gone up by twenty-eight
per cent in ten years. In STEM courses, girls
and women constitute forty-three per cent of
enrolment - one of the highest in the world.

4. Vision for Viksit Bharat

Our vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’ is that of

“Prosperous Bharat in harmony with nature,
with modern infrastructure, and providing
opportunities for all citizens and all regions to
reach their potential”.

In the full budget in July, Government will

present a detailed roadmap for our pursuit of
‘Viksit Bharat’.

5. Strategy for ‘Amrit Kaal’

Government will adopt economic policies that

foster and sustain growth, facilitate inclusive
and sustainable development, improve
productivity, create opportunities for all, help
them enhance their capabilities, and
contribute to the generation of resources to
power investments and fulfil aspirations.

Guided by the principle ‘Reform, Perform, and

Transform’, the Government will take up next
generation reforms, and build consensus with
the states and stakeholders for effective
implementation.
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Government to ensure timely and adequate finances, relevant technologies and appropriate
training for the MSMEs to grow and also compete globally.

Government will facilitate sustaining high and more resource-efficient economic growth
For meeting the investment needs our Government will prepare the financial sector in terms of
size, capacity, skills and regulatory framework.

6. Health

Upgradation of anganwadi centres under “Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0” will be
expedited for improved nutrition delivery, early childhood care and development.

The newly designed U-WIN platform for managing immunization and intensified efforts of
Mission Indradhanush will be rolled out expeditiously throughout the country.

Healthcare cover under Ayushman Bharat scheme will be extended to all ASHA workers,
Anganwadi Workers and Helpers.

7. Agriculture and Food Processing

The efforts for value addition in agricultural sector

and boosting farmers’ income will be stepped up.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana has
benefitted 38 Lakh farmers and generated 10 Lakh
employment.

Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food

Processing Enterprises Yojana has assisted 2.4
Lakh SHGs and sixty thousand individuals with
credit linkages.

Application of Nano DAP on various crops will be expanded in all agro-climatic zones.

A strategy will be formulated to achieve ‘Atmanirbharta’ for oil seeds such as mustard,
groundnut, sesame, soybean, and sunflower. This will cover research for high-yielding varieties,
widespread adoption of modern farming techniques, market linkages, procurement, value
addition, and crop insurance.

A comprehensive programme for supporting dairy farmers will be formulated. Efforts are already
on to control foot and mouth disease. The programme will be built on the success of existing
schemes such Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Livestock Mission, and Infrastructure
Development Funds for dairy processing and animal husbandry.

Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) will be stepped up to:
Enhance aquaculture productivity from existing 3 to 5 Tonnes per hectare, Double exports to INR
1 Lakh Cr and Generate 55 Lakh employment opportunities in the near future

Five integrated aquaparks will be set up.

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8. Infrastructure

The outlay for the next year is being increased by 11.1% to eleven lakh, eleven thousand, one
hundred and eleven crore rupees (INR 11,11,111 Cr). This would be 3.4% of the GDP.

9. Railways

Three major economic railway corridor

programmes will be implemented. These are:
Energy, mineral and cement corridors, Port
connectivity corridors, High-traffic density
corridors

The projects have been identified under the PM

Gati Shakti for enabling multi-modal
connectivity. They will improve logistics
efficiency and reduce costs.

Forty thousand normal rail bogies will be converted to the Vande Bharat standards to enhance
the safety, convenience and comfort of passengers.

Metro Rail and NaMo Bharat can be the catalyst for the required urban transformation. Expansion
of these systems will be supported in large cities focusing on transit-oriented development.

10. Aviation

Number of airports has doubled to 149. The rollout of air connectivity to tier-two and tier-three
cities under the UDAN 19 scheme has been widespread. Five hundred and seventeen new routes
are carrying 1.3 Cr passengers.

Indian carriers have proactively placed orders for over 1000 new aircrafts.

11. Green Energy

Towards meeting our commitment for

‘net-zero’ by 2070, the following
measures will be taken.

Viability gap funding will be provided for

harnessing offshore wind energy
potential for an initial capacity of one
giga-watt.

Coal gasification and liquefaction capacity of 100 MT will be set up by 2030. This will also help in
reducing imports of natural gas, methanol, and ammonia.

Phased mandatory blending of Compressed Biogas (CBG) in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for
transport and piped natural gas (PNG) for domestic purposes will be mandated.

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12. Promoting Investments

The FDI inflow during 2014-23 was $596

Bn marking a golden era. That is twice
the inflow during 2005-14.

For encouraging sustained foreign

investment, we are negotiating
bilateral investment treaties with our
foreign partners, in the spirit of ‘First
Develop India’.

For the full speech, please refer: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/Budget_Speech.pdf

PM MODI’S UAE VISIT HIGHLIGHTS:

MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF UAE

The two leaders assessed their bilateral alliance, explored potential areas for collaboration,
and expressed satisfaction with strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in
various fields such as trade, investment, digital infrastructure, fintech, energy, infrastructure,
culture, and interpersonal connections. Additionally, they addressed matters pertaining to
both regional and global concerns.

PM congratulated UAE’s President on the launch of UAE’s domestic card JAYWAN, which is
based on the digital RuPay credit and debit card stack.

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 ALHAN MODI - MEGA DIASPORA EVENT

Unlike traditional events organized by single entities, Ahlan Modi in Abu Dhabi stands out as a
community-driven initiative.

HIGHLIGHTS:
1. It was an exhibition featuring over 700
cultural artists which aimed to bring to
life the vast diversity of Indian arts,
providing attendees with a cultural
soiree that is inclusive and rich in
tradition.

2. It had an active participation from

more than 150 Indian community
groups, the event emphasized India’s
regional diversity and integration of
blue-collar workers from across the
Emirates.

3 . The ‘Nari Shakti’ of the Indian community played a significant role in expressing support for
the event. Women registered in substantial numbers and promoted ‘Ahlan Modi’ and
embodied the spirit of women empowerment, communal harmony.Their enthusiasm added
a unique dimension to the event, showcasing the inclusive nature of the gathering.

4. The Indian expatriate community in the UAE is of approximately 3.5 million individuals which
stands as the largest ethnic community, constituting around 35 percent of the country’s
population.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPEECH:

Every heartbeat in this historic stadium is

saying — Long live Bharat-UAE friendship!
Every breath is saying — Long live
Bharat-UAE friendship! Every voice is saying
— Long live Bharat-UAE friendship!

This is my 7th trip to the UAE in 10 years.

Brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed came
to receive me at the airport today as well

I saw his empathy towards you during

COVID. At that time, I told him that we are
arranging to bring back Indians. But he told me not to worry at all. He made all arrangements
for the treatment of Indians here, including vaccination.

Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party 06

 When I proposed the idea of building a temple here in Abu Dhabi on behalf of all of you in
2015, he immediately said yes without wasting a moment. He even said — “I will give you the
land where you draw the line.” And now the historic time for the inauguration of this
magnificent temple in Abu Dhabi has come.

On behalf of Bharat, I congratulate Sultan Al Neyadi, the first Emirati astronaut, to spend 6
months on the International Space Station. I also thank him for sending greetings to Bharat
from space on International Yoga Day and Independence Day.

UAE is Bharat’s third-largest trading partner. Today, the UAE is Bharat’s seventh-largest
investor.

With the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the master’s course at IIT
Delhi’s Abu Dhabi campus was inaugurated last month. The office of the Central Board of
Secondary Education (CBSE) in Dubai is also going to open soon.

The goal of every Indian is to make Bharat a developed nation by 2047. Which is the country
whose economy is growing rapidly? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country that consumes the
most smartphone data? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country with the highest global fintech
adoption rate? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country with the highest milk production? It’s our
Bharat! Which is the country ranked second in terms of internet users? It’s our Bharat! Which
is the country that is the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturer? It’s our Bharat! Which
is the country with the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world? It’s our Bharat! Which
is the country that reached Mars on its first attempt? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country
that planted its flag on the South Pole of the moon? It’s our Bharat! Which is the country
setting a record by sending hundreds of satellites in one go? It’s our Bharat! Which is the
country that developed 5G technology on its own and rolled it out the fastest? It’s our Bharat!

In just 10 years, Bharat has transitioned from being the world’s eleventh-largest economy to
the fifth-largest economy

Do you know Modi’s guarantee? Modi has guaranteed to make Bharat the third-largest
economy in his third term. And Modi’s guarantee means a guarantee of fulfilment. Our
government is continuously working to
improve the standard of living of the
people, to reduce their problems. We have
provided pucca houses to more than four
crore families. We have provided water
connections to more than 10 crore
families. We have connected more than
50 crore people to the banking system.
We have provided free medical treatment
of up to 500,000 rupees to more than 50
crore people. We have built more than 1.5
lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to
ensure that people in rural areas have no
problem getting treatment.

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rm=pmspeech&comment=disable#:~:text=Today%2C%20I%20have%20come%20to,Bharat%20is%20proud%20of
%20you.

Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party

07
 INTERACTION WITH FIRST BATCH OF STUDENTS OF IIT
DELHI ABU DHABI CAMPUS
Prime Minister interacted with the first batch of students and said that this not only begins a
new chapter in bilateral collaboration between India and the UAE, but also brings the youth from
the two countries together.

The opening of a campus of the IIT, Delhi in the UAE was envisioned by the leadership of the
countries in February 2022. The project, a joint collaboration between the Indian Institute of
Technology Delhi (IIT-D) and Abu Dhabi Department of Education & Knowledge (ADEK), aims to
provide quality higher education opportunities to students globally. It would also foster
partnerships between the two countries in the fields of next generation technology, research and
innovation.

PARTICIPATION IN WORLD GOVERNMENTS SUMMIT

Prime Minister attended the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 14, 2024, as Guest
of Honour, upon the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPEECH:
PM presented a compelling narrative of
India's rise, painting a picture of a
nation thriving on people participation,
social inclusion, and sustainable
development.

Acknowledged the persistence of

challenges of last century in the
modern world, highlighting pressing
issues like health security, food and
water scarcity, energy access,
education, and creating an inclusive society.

Recognized the common struggle governments face in ensuring citizen well-being.

He emphasized the need for collaboration, stating, "Every government is committed to the
welfare of its citizens, but the scale and complexity of challenges necessitate cooperation
acknowledged the disruptive nature of technology, stating, "Tech is disruptive, either positive
or negative. New forms of terrorism and challenges exist."
Stressed the need to harness technology's potential while mitigating its risks.

PM championed his philosophy of "minimum government, maximum governance,"

emphasizing citizen involvement in shaping India's future. He cited the success stories of
the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan', 'Janbhagidari' and 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' initiatives as
examples of the power of this collaborative approach.

Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party 08

PM took pride in India's significant strides in financial inclusion, stating, "We provided
banking to 50 crore people, making us the world leader in fintech and digital payments." He
further highlighted the empowerment of women through parliamentary representation and
dedicated youth skill development programs, ensuring equal opportunities for all.

PM outlined India's strong stance on climate change, mentioning initiatives like Mission Life
and green credit systems. He emphasized India's investments in solar, wind, biofuels, and
green hydrogen, showcasing the nation's commitment to a sustainable future.

Concluding his address, PM Modi declared, "India shows the world the way forward- a
pro-people approach that also protects the environment." His speech resonated with a
message of inclusive, sustainable, and transparent governance, positioning India as a leader
on the world stage.

INAUGURATION OF BAPS TEMPLE

Hon. PM Modi inaugurated the

Bochasanwasi Akshar
Purushottam Swaminarayan
Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, the first
Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE
on 14th February 2024.
Welcomed by BAPS’
Ishwarcharandas Swami, PM
Modi offered prayers and
performed aarti at the majestic
temple, marking a significant
cultural and spiritual milestone.

The BAPS mandir, standing at 108 feet and situated on 27 acres of land gifted by the UAE
leadership, is a symbol of spiritual devotion, architectural brilliance and cultural unity. The
foundation stone was laid by PM Modi in 2017, reflecting collaborative efforts to bring this
vision to life.

Equipped with advanced technology, the temple showcases engineering marvel. The BAPS
mandir stands as the largest in West Asia and signifies the enduring friendship between
India and the UAE.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SPEECH:
UAE has written a golden chapter. The inauguration of the temple has years of hard work and
dreams of many are connected with the temple. Swaminarayan's blessings are also
connected.

This temple will be a symbol of unity & harmony...The role of the UAE government in the
construction of the temple is commendable.

Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party 09

 Today is the holy festival of Basant
Panchami. This is the festival of Maa
Saraswati, which means goddess of
wisdom, prudence and consciousness. I
hope that this temple will welcome Basant
for humanity and better future
UAE, which till now was known for Burj
Khalifa, Future Museum, Sheikh Zayed
Mosque and other hi-tech buildings, has
now added another cultural chapter to its
identity. I am confident that a large
number of devotees will come here in the
coming times. This will also increase the
number of people coming to UAE and
people-to-people connections will also
increase. On behalf of the entire India and millions of Indians living around the world, I
express my heartfelt gratitude to President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE
Government.

This temple will become a symbol of communal harmony and global unity for the entire
world.

The Government of UAE President has fulfilled a wish of crores of India with a large heart. Not
just here, they have won the hearts of 140 crore Indians.

“I worship Maa Bharti. 'parmatma ne mujhe jitna samay dia hai uska har pal Maa Bharti
kay liye hai'...,"

ADDRESS AT MINISTERIAL MEETING OF INTERNATIONAL

ENERGY AGENCY
It is significant that the IEA is marking the 50th Anniversary of its establishment.

India is the world’s fastest growing

major economy. In one decade, we
went from the 11th largest economy to
the 5th largest. In the same period,
our solar energy capacity grew twenty
six fold! Our renewable energy
capacity also doubled. We exceeded
our Paris commitments in this
regard, ahead of timelines.

India is home to 17% of the global

population. We are running some of
the world’s largest energy access
initiatives. Yet, our carbon emissions account for only 4% of the global total.
India has already led initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance. Our Mission LiFE
focuses on pro-planet lifestyle choices for a collective impact.

Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party 10

 India’s G20 Presidency also saw significant action on this front. The launch of the Global
Biofuels Alliance was one of the highlights. I thank the IEA for their support to this initiative.

VIRTUAL FOUNDATION STONE LAYING OF BHARAT MART

IN JABEL ALI, DUBAI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and His

Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum virtually laid the foundation
stone of Bharat Mart at Jebel Ali Free Trade
Zone in Dubai on February 14, 2024. The
initiative, to be built by DP World, aims to
boost India-UAE bilateral trade using
Jebel Ali Port's strategic location and
logistics strength. Modi emphasized
Bharat Mart's potential to enhance
exports, especially for India's micro,
small, and medium sectors, by providing
them access to international buyers in
the Gulf, West Asia, Africa, and Eurasia.

MEETING WITH RULER OF DUBAI, VICE PRESIDENT AND

PM OF UAE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President,
Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and
Ruler of Dubai, in Dubai on February 14,
2024. They discussed various areas of
bilateral cooperation, including trade,
investment, technology, space,
education, and people-to-people ties.
Both leaders were pleased with the
growing economic and commercial
relations, particularly emphasizing the
Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement and the Bilateral Investment
Treaty. Modi expressed gratitude to
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum for his support to the Indian community in Dubai, highlighting their significant role in
Dubai's global status. Additionally, Modi appreciated the allocation of land for an Indian
Community Hospital, providing affordable healthcare to Indian blue-collar workers in Dubai.

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 INDIA-QATAR RELATIONS- PRIME MINISTER
MODI MET THE AMIR OF QATAR AND THANKED
FOR THE RELEASE OF 8 NAVY VETERANS

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the

Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim
bin Hamad Al Thani at Amiri Palace in Doha.

In this bilateral meeting PM Modi thanked

for the release of 8 ex-Indian Navy personnel,
saying India was gratified to see them return
home. In his meeting in Doha, the PM also
discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia,
emphasizing the need to uphold peace and
stability in the region and beyond.

Further PM emphasized that India will look

forward in scaling up the cooperation in key
sectors relating to trade, investment, technology and culture. The leaders discussed regional and
global issues including the situation in Gaza. Prime Minister also thanked for taking care of over
8,00,000 strong Indian community in Qatar.

DECODING THE MODI GOVERNMENT’S

WHITE PAPER ON INDIAN ECONOMY

A. India has undergone a transformative journey under the Modi Government, which is a
comprehensive shift from the UPA era, marked by achievements such as eradicating open
defecation, successfully vaccinating the entire eligible population with indigenous vaccines,
and spearheading the digital revolution, in contrast to the perceived inefficiencies and
piecemeal delivery of UPA regime that led India to become a fragile five economy.

B. The transformative approach by the Modi Government brought India to the League of the Top
Five in just a decade and is now on the path to becoming the third-largest economy by 2027.

C. The UPA’s mishandling of the macroeconomy is evident by the negative current account
balance as a percentage of GDP of -4.8 in 2013-14 and sluggish Y-o-Y GDP growth of 5.5
compared to the Modi government’s GDP growth of 9.1 in 2021-22.

D. Under the Modi Government, a paradigm shift in capital expenditure is evident, with its share
rising to 28% in FY24 from 16% in FY14. UPA’s negligence left national highway construction at
a mere 12 Km/day in FY15, a stark difference from the Modi government's achievement, which
rose by more than 2.3X to 28 km/day in FY23. The cargo traffic at major ports has risen from
581 MT to 784 MT, while electrified rail routes and airports have doubled from FY15 to FY22.

E. The Modi Government’s focus on defence procurement, exemplified by fighter jet acquisition
and indigenous submarine development, contrasts with the UPA era’s lack of priorities.

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 Additionally, the introduction of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2019 reflects the true
spirit of balancing ‘Prakriti’ and ‘Pragati’, which was wholly missing in the regulations of 2011.

F. The Modi government has adopted the philosophy “sabka sath, sabka vikas” prioritising
universal access to basic amenities and presented a much better track record of programme
delivery than its predecessor.

G. The Modi Government used technology, and the JAM Trinity has revolutionised governance,
addressing execution challenges that plagued the UPA era. Through initiatives like
JAM-PAHAL and transparent monitoring, leakages in LPG subsidies were reduced by 24%. The
Modi government's commitment to “reaching the last mile” is evident in Aadhaar-enabled
DBT, transferring over ₹34 lakh crore to 1,167 crore beneficiaries.

H. The average headline inflation decreased to 5% in FY14 - FY23 from 8.2% in FY04 - FY14
showing how the Modi Government tackled the high inflation inherited from the UPA
government.

I. India’s service sector has seen a growth of 97% during the Modi Government tenure, even
when the world services export only grew by 36%, showcasing India’s world leadership in the
sector.

J. Indian foreign direct investment has almost doubled between FY15 and FY23, enabled by
strategic liberalisation through PLI that allowed 100% FDI through automatic routes to
several sectors. This has ensured India's strong and safe external sector, with forex reserves
extending by USD 314 billion between March 2014 and January 2024.

K. The long-term economic rebuilding under the Modi Government ensured India was
cushioned to global shocks like the USA’s taper tantrum of 2021-22. While under UPA Raaj in
2013, the Indian currency depreciated by 14.9% in a mere 4 months of Fed's interest
announcements, in 2021, the rupee depreciation recorded in four months of tantrum was a
mere 0.7% reflecting the strong position of Indian currency.

L. With the implementation of GST, the Modi Government slashed more than 400 rates and
commissions to bring all states and UTs under one structure. The GST implementation has
led to households saving approximately ₹45,000 crore per month while increasing the
monthly average revenue from GST for the government to ₹1.7 lakh crore in FY24.

M. The Modi Government has brought down the average current account deficit significantly to
1.1 % from the UPA’s legacy of 2.3% of GDP due to the increase in merchandise export and
service sector exports.

N. Even with a once-in-a-century global pandemic that the Modi government faced, their
(central government) net market borrowings only increased 2.6X times while UPA’s regime
experienced a 4.5X increase, reflecting the bad debt practices of the regime.

O. The Modi Government, in the true spirit of cooperative federalism, accepted the
recommendations of the 14th and 15th Finance Commission. Over the last decade, around
41-42% of Central taxes have been shared with the States, a substantial increase from the
earlier devolution share of 30-32%. This has resulted in a significant leap in the absolute
quantum of resources devoted to States, about 3.8 times higher than earlier, translating to
approximately 1% of GDP.

Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party 13

P. The Modi Government has effectively cleaned the coal sector through legislative reforms and
liberalisations. Due to the government's strong efforts, India achieved a historic record coal
production level of 893.19 million tonnes in FY23, and overall coal production has grown
about 57.8% compared to FY14.

• Within a year of governance, the Modi Government ensured that no coal plant faced a coal
shock, unlike how they inherited from UPA, with two-thirds of plants in critical shocks. Efforts
like capacity building and One Nation One Grid One Frequency have reduced the gap between
Energy Requirement and Energy Supplied from 4.2% in 2013-14 to 0.3 % in 2023-24.

Q. In the true spirit of welfare, the Modi government has ensured electric connection and quality
power availability, increasing power availability in rural areas from 12 hours in 2015 to 20.6
hours. In urban areas, we have almost reached 24 hours of power availability.

R. Under the Modi Government, the banking sector witnessed a commendable revival, marked
by a significant drop in Gross Non-Performing Assets to 3.2% in September 2023. This
contrasts starkly with the UPA era’s negligence, which left balance sheets in disarray.

• The current success is evident in key ratios for public sector banks like increased Return on
Asset from 0.50% in 2013-14 to 0.79% in 2022-23, and Return on Equity from 8.48% to 12.35%
highlights the UPA's failure to ensure financial health and resilience in the banking sector.

S. The Modi government has implemented substantial telecom industry changes since 2014
and improved spectrum utilisation by introducing open trading, auctioning, and sharing
spectrum techniques. Furthermore, the 5G network rollout in the nation, which was globally
the fastest, was made possible by enhanced cash flow for TSPs, making capital investments
in 5G technology easier. Under UPA, India had a 2G scam; now, the Modi Government has
ensured extensive coverage of the population under 4G with the lowest rates and the world's
fastest rollout of 5G in 2023.

INDIA'S GDP GREW 8.4% IN THIRD

QUARTER OF 2023-24

India’s economic growth has upgraded to 8.4%

in the third quarter of 2023-24. The National
Statistics Office has given India’s GDP growth
estimates for this year to 7.6% from 7.3%
estimated in early January, even as it scaled
down its 7.2% growth estimate for 2022-23 to
7%. The NSO, in its advance estimate said that
the Gross Value Added (GVA) in the economy is
estimated to rise 6.9% this year, rising from a
revised estimate of 6.7% GVA growth in
2022-23. The NSO had earlier pegged last year’s
GVA growth at 7%. Meanwhile, the growth of eight key infrastructure sectors slowed to a 15-month
low of 3.6% in January, driven by a contraction in fertiliser and refinery production along with base
effects from 2023 when the core sectors had grown 9.7% in the same month.

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 INDIA STUNS UAE MEDIA

Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party 15

 Videsh Vibhag, Bharatiya Janata Party
6 - A, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi - 110002