We Gradually Healed Wounds of Middle Class: PM Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address in Parliament on Tuesday, said that there were multiple 'bombs' and 'bullets' hurled at the middle class, which were then subsequently "healed" by the BJP-led government after 2014, in a reference to the new income tax introduced by the Finance Ministry.

"In the last 10 years, we have enhanced savings of the middle class by reducing income tax. Before 2014, such 'bombs' were hurled and 'bullets' were shot, and it affected the lives of people. We gradually healed those wounds and moved forward," the PM said.

Talking about the other benefits to the people, the PM said that they removed 10 crore fake beneficiaries and identified the real people, "without caring about political gain or loss."

"Without caring about political gains or losses, we removed 10 crore fake beneficiaries to ensure welfare schemes reach those who need it...The government got Rs 2,300 crore by selling the scrap under the Swachh Bharat Mission. We have used the money to build the nation. When people work on the groundwork for people, then change is definite. We didn't give false slogans; we gave real development," the PM said. Focusing on the youth of the country, the PM said that, unlike other parties that "deceive" the young people in the name of promised allowances during the election, the BJP fulfils its promises.

"We have been working continuously by keeping the future of youth in mind. But there are a few parties that are deceiving the youth. They promise allowances at the time of elections but do not fulfil those promises. These parties are 'aapda' on the future of youth. In Haryana, the country has seen how we work. We promised jobs, and as soon as the government was formed, youth got jobs," he added.

In the new income tax regime, the salaried class will pay nil income tax up to Rs 12.75 lakh. The PM compared it to the income tax exemption of Rs 2 lakh in 2013-14.

"In 2013-2014, tax exemption was only on Rs 2 lakh income. Today there is an income tax exemption on Rs 12 lakh income... We healed wounds, and today we have applied bandages too. If we add the Rs 75,000 standard deduction, after 1st April, the salaried class in the country will not have to pay any tax on income up to Rs 12.75 lakh," the PM added.

However, opposition parties slammed the budget, saying it was silent on the problem of unemployment and accused the government of “throttling MGNREGA.”.

The Prime Minister, in a veiled attack against Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, said that "some" people speak on foreign policy even if it causes harm to the country. He added that some think they won't appear mature if they don't speak on foreign policy.

"A few people think they don't appear mature if they don't speak on foreign policy. They think that they should speak on foreign policy, even if it causes harm to the country," PM Modi said in his reply in Lok Sabha to the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's Address.

He recommended a book, 'JFK's Forgotten Crisis,' on foreign policy, which mentions the conversations between former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then US President John F. Kennedy. The prime minister said that this book must be read by those who have a genuine interest in the subject.

"I would like to tell such people—if they have a real interest in the subject of foreign policy, if they want to understand it and want to do something while going ahead, they should read a book, 'JFK's Forgotten Crisis.'. This has been written by a renowned foreign policy scholar, where important instances have been mentioned, including the conversations between India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru, and John F. Kennedy," PM Modi said.

The prime minister said that this book reveals the happenings in the name of foreign policy when the country was facing several challenges.

"When the country was facing several challenges, what was being done in the name of foreign policy at that time has been brought out through this book. This is why I will say that this book should be read," PM Modi.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister took a dig at the AAP and made a veiled attack on former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying while "some people are focused on building jacuzzis and showers," the BJP-led government is working to provide tap water to every home in the country.

Replying to the debate in Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks on the President's address, PM Modi also took an "AAP-da" jibe at the AAP and a "Sheeshmahal" swipe at Kejriwal. His remarks came a day ahead of assembly polls in Delhi.

“Our government hasn’t given false slogans to the poor but true development,” he said, and added that when people who are grounded and who know the ground reality work for the people at the ground level, then change is inevitable on the ground.

The distribution of free grain to millions of citizens has resulted in significant savings for families, the Prime Minister said, and added, “When power is used for service, it leads to nation building, but when power becomes a legacy, it destroys people.”

The Prime Minister noted that their focus has always been on those who are left behind, as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi. Modi highlighted the creation of separate ministries, such as for the Northeast and Tribal Affairs. (Agencies)

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