Mishra says focus is on small industries in NE

'...before Modiji coming at the helm of affairs at the Centre the much-talked-about issue among people was huge amount of black money being stashed abroad, but now the issue is when the black money stashed abroad will be brought back to the country' -  Kalraj Mishra

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 11: Showering praise on Prime Minister rendra Modi, Union  Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Kalraj Mishra said that before Modiji coming at the helm of affairs at the Centre 'the much-talked-about issue among the people was: huge amount of black money being stashed abroad, and now the issue is when the black money stashed abroad will be brought back to the country'.

The Union minister said this after attending the 'Lok Tantra Bachao Divas' here today. The birth day of Lok yak Jayaprakash rayan is observed as the Lok Tantra Bachao Divas all over the country.

Addressing the press later, Mishra said: "The Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has taken a tough stand against corruption that has come down drastically. Leaders like Jayaprakash rayan had to be behind bars during the Congress regime under Indira Gandhi. They lost their freedom of expression during the emergency days. The BJP government is now honouring those who had to face atrocities during the emergency, and Assam has seven such leaders."

On good governce, Mishra said: "Under the NDA government transparency in administration has become a reality. One of the major shifts of issues before Modi coming at the helm of affairs at the Centre and after it is: earlier the issue was huge amount of black money is stashed abroad, but now the issue is when the black money stashed abroad will be brought back to the country. This speaks volumes of the performance of the NDA Government at the Centre. We're going to disclose the mes of people who have stashed black money abroad before the Supreme Court that has been monitoring the matter."

Mishra said: "Modiji has laid stress on Digital India as this system is set to lessen corruption. In industry, especially in small and medium industries, Modiji has laid stress on the Northeast that has already received Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore in this head. Now the number of small industries in the region has gone up to 35 from 15. Industries in the Northeast are making strides with the rest of India because of the thrust on industries given by the Prime Minister who has taken various schemes to benefit small industries. Training centres have been opened in the region so as make unemployed eligible for taking bank loans for self-employment. A committee comprising banks, governments, industries and people's representatives will be formed so as ensure bank loans to genuine people. As many as 75 cluster development centres will be opened in the region."

On the gging complaints from Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on non-release of funds by the Centre, Mishra said: "The Chief Minister has been lying. The Centre has released funds and the onus of spending it lies with Dispur. The country will prosper only if the State governments spend Central funds properly."

On the issue of beef, he said that the Opposition parties have been raking it up for political mileage. He blamed it on UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on the recent incident that took place in UP, concerning beef.