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Two aborted missions, three different ministers, multiple rule changes and two decades later, Indian taxpayers will no longer have to pay ₹20 crore per day to keep the loss-making <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> flying. While opposition Congress expectedly attacked the decision as selling the family silver, DIPAM Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said what Tata is getting is not a cash cow but an airline which is bleeding where money needs to be pumped in to refurbish obsolete aircraft and dust up strangled ones while being unable to touch any employee for one year and only be able to resize staff after paying a VRS. "It won't be a very easy task there. Only advantage is they (new Air <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> owner) are paying the price which they think they can manage. They are not taking the excessive debt accumulated to fund years of losses. We are continuing it as an ongoing concern.... This process has also saved huge amount of taxpayers money going forward," Pandey told PTI. Earlier this month, the government had accepted an offer by Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of salt-to-software conglomerate Tata group, to pay ₹2,700 crore cash and takeover ₹15,300 crore of the airline's debt. As on August 31, Air India had a total debt of ₹61,562 crore. About 75 per cent of this debt or ₹46,262 crore will be transferred to a special purpose vehicle AIAHL before handing over the loss-making airline to the Tata Group. <keyword id="6360721" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tatas" source="Orion">Tatas</keyword> would not get to retain non-core assets such as the Vasant Vihar Housing colony of Air India, Air India Building at Nariman Point in Mumbai, and Air India Building in New Delhi. "We have only allowed (Tata group) for use for two years, but within two years we have to work out a monetisation plan for it to be sold so that the money can be used to set off AIAHL liabilities," Pandey said. Of the 141 Air India aircraft that Tatas would get, 42 are leased planes while the remaining 99 are owned. Tata will also take over the capitalised lease liability on account of operating leases of Rs 9,185 crore. Besides, some of these 141 planes are grounded due to lack of engine and other maintenance. Also the obsolescence factor is there are many as not fuel efficient. "We want to finish the handover quickly, because we are paying Rs 20 cr /day to run the airline. The new owner will need to put in a lot of capital because they have to do capital expenditure to improve aircraft, refurbish and give new orders for obsolete aircraft. Only then they may be able to turnaround. Also conditions have been put that you cannot resize employees for 1 year, and thereafter in the second year, you have to give VRS," Pandey said. The government is divesting its 100 per cent ownership of Air India and Air India Express along with its 50 per cent stake in ground-handling company AISATS. The government will, however, transfer about Rs 16,000 crore of unpaid current liabilities, in excess of current and non current assets, such as fuel bills and other pending dues that Air India owes to suppliers, to Air India Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL). A Letter of Intent (LoI) has been issued to Tatas on October 11 confirming the government's willingness to sell its 100 per cent stake in the airline. Tatas have now to accept the LoI, post which the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) will be signed. Conditions precedent to the transactions would need to be satisfied by Tatas before they actually can take over the operations. Normally within 14 days of acceptance of LOI, the SPA is signed. While this will be the first privatisation since 2003-04, Air India will be the third airline brand in the Tatas' stable - it holds a majority interest in AirAsia India and Vistara, a joint venture with Singapore Airlines Ltd. Air India will give it access to a fleet of 117 wide-body and narrow-body aircraft and Air India Express Ltd another 24 narrow-body aircraft besides control of 4,400 domestic and 1,800 international landing and parking slots at domestic airports, as well as 900 slots at airports overseas such as London's Heathrow. Tatas beat the ₹15,100-crore offer by a consortium led by SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh and the reserve price of ₹12,906 crore set by the government for the sale of its 100 per cent stake in the loss-making carrier. Air India was first put on the block under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government when the newly created disinvestment ministry led by <keyword id="47167" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="arun-shourie" source="Orion">Arun Shourie</keyword> offered 40 per cent of the government stake in the airline for sale. Foreign airlines, including Lufthansa, Swissair, Air France-Delta, British Airways, Emirates and Singapore Airlines (SIA) expressed interest in buying the airline but they pulled out after the government-mandated taking a local partner. Among the two domestic majors in fray, Hindujas, who were embroiled in the Bofors scam, was disqualified while Tata's partner, SIA, pulled out citing 'adverse climate and opposition to privatisation'. The privatisation plan was revived under Finance Minister <keyword id="42575" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="arun-jaitley" source="Orion">Arun Jaitley</keyword> in 2017 when the government offered for sale 74 per cent in the airline. But the decision of the government to hold 26 per cent in the airline and auction rules saw no bidder turning up. With 4 years of uncertainty over privatisation, Air India struggled with dipping employee morale and rising inefficiencies within the organisation. When <keyword id="6354642" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="modi" source="Orion">Modi</keyword> took over with a decisive mandate for the second time, Air India privatisation was revived in 2020, under current Finance Minister <keyword id="129243" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="Orion">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword>, with an offer to completely sell a 100 per cent stake. A new decision-making mechanism was worked out. The government sweetened the deal for Air India buyers, giving them flexibility to decide on the amount of Air India debt they want to absorb. The bids were invited on the enterprise value of the company, which includes debt as well as cash on the company's balance sheet. Air India started suffering losses every year since its merger with Indian Airlines in 2007-08. A Turnaround Plan (TAP) as well as a Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) were approved for Air India by the previous UPA regime in 2012. However, the TAP did not work out and Air India continued to reel under losses with the government giving Rs 20 crore/day to keep the airline afloat. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/hdfc-bank-avenue-supermarts-hcl-tech-and-other-stocks-to-watch-out-for-on-october-18/slidelist/87098001.cms">HDFC Bank, Avenue Supermarts, HCL Tech and other stocks to watch out for on October 18</a>

'We want to finish the handover quickly, because we are paying ₹20 crore a day to run the airline,' says DIPAM Secretary on privatisation of Air India

<ul><li>SC today dismissed review petition filed on the 2018 Rafale verdict. </li><li>Three review petitions were filed by lawyer Vineet Dhandha and Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker <keyword id="6360239" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="sanjay-singh">Sanjay Singh</keyword>.</li><li>On December 14, 2018, the apex court dismissed the petitions seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Rs 58,000 crore deal. </li></ul> The Supreme Court dismissed the review petitions filed on the Rafalae judgment on Thursday. Three petitions were seeking a review of its judgement which gave a clean chit to the Modi government in the <keyword id="1560525" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rafale-fighter-jet">Rafale fighter jet</keyword> deal with French firm Dassault Aviation. On May 10, the apex court had reserved the decision on the pleas, including one filed by former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, <keyword id="47167" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arun-Shourie">Arun Shourie</keyword> and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan, seeking a re-examination of its findings that there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets. A Bench comprising Chief Justice <keyword id="245445" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ranjan-Gogoi">Ranjan Gogoi</keyword> and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is likely to pronounce verdicts on three review petitions filed by the trio, lawyer Vineet Dhandha and Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker Sanjay Singh. On December 14, 2018, the apex court dismissed the petitions seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Rs 58,000 crore deal.

SC dismisses review petitions on Rafale judgment

Former disinvestment minister Arun Shourie and ex-finance minister <keyword id="6381725" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Yashwant-Sinha">Yashwant Sinha</keyword>, among others, are being considered as the first , among others, to hold the post of the president of the <keyword id="175259" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Brics">BRICS</keyword> Development Bank which is now known as the New Develeopment Bank (NDB), an ET report said. The bank will be headquartered in Shanghai, China. 
 
The NDB is set up by the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) as an alternative to the existing US-dominated World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Secondly, it will also foster greater financial and development cooperation among the five emerging countries. 
 
According to the ET report, the post demands a political candidate with adequate administrative skills rather than a bureaucrat. Many believe, this will help the bank to gather better mileage initially. 
 
Sinha, who has served as foreign minister during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government is suitable contender to hold this post. His son Jayant Sinha is the minister of state for finance in the present government. This, however, brightens the chance of Shourie, former economist with the World Bank, to lead the bank. 
 
In February, the government had officially validated its membership along with the proposed $100billion Contingency Reserve Arrangement to be used in case of a crisis, the ET report added. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon be taking the final call on this matter. 
 
The finance ministers from the BRICS countries will meet during the Fund-Bank meeting which is slated to be held in April, the ET reported. 
With bird-eyed focus on the development agenda of BRICS countries, this bank, which has a $50 billion capital structure, will serve as an alternative to other multi-lateral agencies. 
 
(Image: India Times)

Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha in
the race to become next BRICS bank president

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Whistleblower+">Whistleblower</a> bureaucrat <keyword id="1885007" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sanjeev-Chaturvedi">Sanjeev Chaturvedi</keyword> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=human+rights+activist+">human rights activist</a> <keyword id="280021" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anshu-Gupta">Anshu Gupta</keyword> are among five people from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Indian+Institute+of+Technology-Bombay+">India</a>, Myanmar, Laos and the <keyword id="3750" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Philippines">Philippines</keyword> who will receive Asia’s coveted <keyword id="270398" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ramon-Magsaysay">Ramon Magsaysay</keyword> Award this year. 
 Chaturvedi, who was removed from the post of <keyword id="84569" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="chief-vigilance-officer">Chief Vigilance Officer</keyword> at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=AIIMS">AIIMS</a> in August 2014, was recognised for “his exemplary integrity, courage and tenacity in uncompromisingly exposing and painstakingly investigating <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=corruption+">corruption</a> in public office…”, while Anshu Gupta, founder of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=NGO">NGO</a> Goonj, will be facilitated for “his creative vision in transforming the culture of giving in India, his enterprising <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=leadership+">leadership</a> in treating cloth as a sustainable development resource for the poor…” 
 
But they are not the only recipient of the premier prize. We bring you 10 Indians who are conferred with the Asia's highest honour. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes/ RMA Foundation/YouTube/gurumavin.com)

10 Indians who received Asia’s coveted Ramon Magsaysay Award

<ul><li>The government files affidavit in the review petition against the Supreme Court verdict in the Rafale case</li><li>Ministry accused petitioners of conspiring to leak sensitive information about India's war capacity</li><li>A similar statement by Attorney General KK Venugopal faced severe criticism</li></ul> The Ministry of Defence has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court on March 13 in a case that questions the sanctity of the government deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from the French company Dassault. "...the deponent of the affidavit of the Review Petition are guilty of leakage of sensitive information, which offends the terms of the agreements. Additionally, those who have conspired in this leakage are guilty of penal offences under the Indian Penal Code including theft by unauthorized photocopying and leakage of sensitive official documents affecting National Security,” Bar and Bench reported. The ministry also contends that the petitioners have no authority to produce the documents before the Supreme Court without explicit permission from the Government of India. The Supreme Court is presented with an appeal to review its December 2018 verdict that gave the government a clean chit after accusations of corruption in the defence procurement deal. The petitioners include former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, a former union minister Arun Shourie and advocate Prashant Bhushan. Both Sinha and Shourie have been part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments in the past. The affidavit is in consonance with the allegation made by the Attorney General KK Venugopal that the documents were stolen and an inquiry under the Officials Secrets Act was underway-- a statement which he later corrected as "photocopied without permission". SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/Seven-shocking-truths-about-how-India-buys-arms/articleshow/67981937.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Seven shocking truths about how India buys arms</a>

India's defence ministry claims the Rafale review petition is a threat to national security

The pangs have started. Not the birth pangs of anything, but it could be the death throe. With <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> elected as the Prime Minister of India, the days of <keyword id="46913" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Planning-commission">Planning Commission</keyword> of India are said to be numbered. 
 
The Modi government, which has minced no words about its stance on the Planning Commission, may either shut down the agency or change its style of functioning to make it more relevant to suit the increasingly open economy. 
 According to the ruling <keyword id="58687" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bharatiya-Janata-Party">Bharatiya Janata Party</keyword> (BJP), to which Narendra Modi belongs, the Planning Commission is a body that needs a serious relook at its composition and its contribution to the Indian economy. 
 
Uncomfortable questions about the Planning Commission had been raised by the previous UPA government as well, when the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that the commission had to be ‘relooked at’ due to the changing economic developments at a global level. Manmohan Singh had emphasised on this need during the speech he delivered on his last days as the PM. 
 
Former Finance Minister Chidambaram had gone a step further and called the Planning Commission a ‘big, flabby and unwieldy body’ that had to undergo some metamorphosis. 
 Now, with the new government at the Centre, the <keyword id="609857" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Independent-Evaluation-Office">Independent Evaluation Office</keyword> (IEO), headed by Ajay Chibber, submitted a report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stated that the Planning Commission was more of a roadblock than a propellant for the future of neo-India. The IEO was set up by the Planning Commission just over a year ago, aimed at assessing the effectiveness of government programmes, institutions and policies to make them robust in tune with the changing dynamics of socio-economic changes in the country. 
 
“It is clear that the Planning Commission, in its current form and function, is a hindrance and not a help to India’s development. In my experience, it is not easy to reform such a large ossified body and would be better to replace it with a new body that is needed to assist the states in ideas, to provide long-term thinking and aid cross-cutting reforms…” Ajay Chibber said in his report to the PM. Somewhere along the report, which could be termed as a no-nonsense account of the significance of the Planning Commission, Chibber called it the ‘Control Commission,’ which wasn’t much of a benefit for the states, and in turn posed challenges to their independent growth. The report suggested that the PM should change the functioning of the Planning Commission by curtailing its powers and turning it into a non-interfering ‘think tank’ instead. 
 
The new-found aversion towards the Planning Commission isn’t entirely recent. There had been instances in the past where leaders, cutting across party lines, criticised the working of the commission and the need to restrategise it or abandon it completely. 
 
Narendra Modi’s BJP has often criticised the working of the Planning Commission and said it was outdated. Referring to the future of the commission, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said that organisations should “adjust to people.” He also said that his party would take a look at how the agencies – with direct reference to the Planning Commission – were working for the benefit of the people. 
 
But this is probably not the comprehensive version of the new government’s concept of making planning, policies and governance better for the people. There is a section of political analysts who are dubbing this step as the most coherent and strong symbol of Modi’s determination to junk the Fabian-Socialist leaning of economic policies that entered the Indian psyche during the Nehru era. 
 
Understandably, the role of the Planning Commission that was set up in 1950 should have been dynamic and complementary to India’s changing economic policies and market economy. The BJP has often questioned the relevance of an agency that has outlived its time and remained stagnant in its objectives. 
 
Arun Shourie, a journalist-turned-BJP-member, derided the Planning Commission, calling it a “parking lot for political cronies and unwanted bureaucrats.” Logistically, the number of employees in this commission, which works from a stately building located in New Delhi, cross 500-600, with a huge budget being allocated for their salaries and maintenance. Focus had shifted towards this almost non-existent commission, which charted the growth of India with no pre-condition of adherence to its suggestions, when the body said that people who consumed food and other items costing more than Rs 27 were not poor. There were angry reactions to this from all over the country, with some politicians defending these words in vain. 
 Interestingly, <keyword id="10335" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Montek-Singh-Ahluwalia">Montek Singh Ahluwalia</keyword> quit his post as the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission on May 17, just a day after results of the Lok Sabha polls were declared and the BJP swept it without a hitch. Ahluwalia also left his official residence and till date, no one has been appointed in his place. From the way it looks, there won’t be any attempt to fill this post by the new government.

Jitters For Planning Commission Under Narendra Modi Regime

<keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>, in an interview to ANI, said the opposition alleging that his government is a 'suit-boot ki sarkaar' is definitely better and more acceptable than being labelled a 'suitcase' (ki sarkaar), and satirically added, that after ruling for sixty years, the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> has suddenly remembered the poor. 

	Excerpts:
 

	1. In a scale of 1-10, how would you grade your government?
 

	It is for the people of this country to grade and evaluate us. How can I take away their right? I have presented my report card to the country. Recently, media has published the findings of some surveys. You would already have seen them. I can only say that we have laid a solid foundation on which the people can rate us.
 

	2. You came in with the promise of 'Acche Din.' Have you been able to meet the goals that you set for yourself in the first year of the government?
 

	Yes. I am fully satisfied with the work that we have done. The most satisfying part of this year is that we have lived up to the promise that our intentions will be pure and our actions will be driven by long-term national interest. Recall the situation one year ago. Massive corruption at various levels of Government gave rise to scams on a regular basis. Our precious natural resources were going into the hands of a chosen few. In contrast, there are neither any charges of corruption against my Government nor any scandals. Corruption was seen as the biggest problem. We have given a clean, transparent and efficient Government. Burey Dino Ki Vidayee Hui hai. (Bad days are over). Is this not Acche Din for the country?
 

	3. What has been the single big success in the past year? 
 

	The achievements and successes of my government are numerous. However, I know that the success of a government's journey lies in reaching the last man. Therefore, our efforts were directed towards the poor and marginalized. We have also paid special attention to remote corners of the country. Our objective is to transform quality of life, infrastructure and services. We have worked simultaneously on all fronts which bring a smile on the face of the common man. I can give you some examples. From controlling food prices to enhancing farm productivity; improving Railways to strengthening Roads; generating electricity to its 24x7 availability; building school toilets to setting up IITs, IIMs and AIIMS; building houses for the homeless to upgrading our heritage cities; cleaning surroundings to bridging the digital divide; making world class products to skilling and employment generation; strengthening the banking system to funding the unfunded; ensuring labour welfare to providing social security to common man; rejuvenating rivers to irrigating fields; from enhancing co-operation with States to deepening foreign relations; we have worked at an energetic pace and with innovative spirit. 
 Bringing back black money was a major electoral promise, but then your party president, <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amit-Shah">Amit Shah</keyword> gave the word 'jumla' to it and Arun Shourie criticized the procedures adopted by the finance ministry. How committed is your government in bringing back black money to India? 

	My Government is fully committed on the issue of Black Money. We want to crack down severely on tax evasion and black money. I had taken up this issue with world leaders during the G-20 summit. In our very first cabinet meeting, we formed an SIT. Then, we presented a new legislation in Parliament which is very stringent. We want to make it more difficult to evade taxes and siphon money abroad. We are also aggressively pursuing cases against those who have stashed funds illegally in foreign banks. Recently the names of some such persons have been revealed. We are also trying to move towards cashless transactions. We want to make maximum use of ICT in our tax administration.
 

	At the same time, we want to remove the discretion which causes corruption and generation of Black Money. Hence, we promulgated ordinances in sectors like coal and mines. It has proved to be a good step. We have generated Rs. 3.30 lakh crore for the country so far through transparent auction of some coal mines. Similar is the case with auction of spectrum. I can say that if your intentions are noble, you are sure to get success and required support.
 

	5. Key bills like the Land Acquisition Bill has got stiff opposition from the opposition. They have been able to create doubts about the government's intention. What do you have to say? 
 

	Opposition to our Land Bill is totally unjustified and unfortunate. We have not made any changes for private industry. Moreover, if you have money, you don't need a Land Acquisition Act to accumulate land. Some individuals have done so in Rajasthan, Haryana, Shimla, Delhi etc. Land acquisition becomes necessary for government-driven strategic and development activities, especially in undeveloped areas. 
 

	This too is done mostly by State Governments. We have made changes only in response to demands of the States. The benefits of these changes will also accrue to the rural poor in terms of irrigation, housing, electrification, as well as better physical and social infrastructure.
 
 

	In this country, the Land Acquisition Act was almost 120 years old. The Congress-led Governments used the same Act after independence. Suddenly, before the last Parliamentary elections, the Congress went to another extreme by legislating an Act which is neither in the interest of farmers nor in the interest of the country's development. 
 

	Now, they are not even ready to sit and discuss. We believe in dialogue with all political parties. I have personally appealed in Parliament that we are ready to open a dialogue with political parties and consider their suggestions. I hope that the parties will cooperate on issues of larger national importance without getting into political calculations. 
 

	6. How are you going to convince the farmers of this country that you mean well?
 

	The proposed Land Acquisition Bill focuses on benefitting the farmer and balancing the long-term interests of the nation. The world is changing fast. Even farmers need canals to irrigate, roads to transfer products from farms to markets. They need hospitals, schools and houses. Farmers want modern amenities in their vicinity and jobs in formal sectors for their sons and daughters. I have always believed that if we want inclusive development, we need amenities. We need to match the development of such amenities with agricultural growth. This is what the Bill strives to do while safeguarding the interests of farmers. Our amendments only aim to do away with the bureaucratic bottlenecks in the 2013 Act. I am sure the farmers of this country will understand where their real welfare lies.
 

	7. Agriculture is in distress in the country. To a large extent the problem is endemic and decades of mismanagement have resulted in the present situation but how does your government plan to stem the tide of farmer suicides and farming stress?
 
 The root causes of the problem find mention in your question itself. This is a very important issue and the Government is concerned about it. We have responded to the recent agrarian crisis with alacrity. We have undertaken several reforms. The <keyword id="6362177" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-government">Union Government</keyword> has enhanced the relief norms for compensation against crop loss by 50%. 

	The limit of minimum crop damage, for grant of compensation, has been reduced from 50% to 33%. Norms have been relaxed to allow procurement of damaged food grains at MSP rates. The target of agricultural credit has been enhanced in our two consecutive budgets. 
 

	But as you said, the problem in agriculture is endemic. Nothing much was done for six long decades. But we have started long-term steps for the farm sector. To address the issue of access to irrigation for every farm, and efficient utilization of water, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has been started. Blue Revolution which aims to improve production and productivity in the fisheries sector is also an action point. We have launched the soil health card scheme. The price stabilization fund with a corpus of Rs. 500 crores has also been set up for perishable commodities. Rashtriya Gokul Mission has been commenced with the objective of conserving and developing indigenous cattle breeds. We have made honest and sincere efforts for rural development. I have recently launched the Kisan Channel for giving timely information to farmers on inputs and markets. In the coming days, I would like to see more focused action on increasing Farm Productivity; Rural Industrialization; Skill Development in rural areas and rural trades, and faster Investments in Rural Infrastructure including cold chain.
 

	8. The opposition has termed your government as suit boot ki sarkar. What is your take on this allegation? 
 

	Suit-boot is definitely more acceptable than suitcase. After ruling for sixty years, the Congress has suddenly remembered the poor. People of this country have suffered and remained poor due to shortsighted policies of the Congress. Many countries of the world have surpassed us on all accounts including poverty removal. Congress did incremental work so as to keep the issue relevant for next election. Did the coal and spectrum scandals or the CWG fiasco benefit the poor? Everyone knows who were their beneficiaries - some chosen industrialists and contractors. The result of Congress's politics and governance of sixty years is that poverty is still our biggest challenge. One-fourth of the families are without shelter. Health, education, water, electricity and roads are even bigger unrealised dreams for a large number of citizens of this country. You should ask them- If you were pro-poor, why does poverty still exist in India?"
 

	9. Opposition says that your government is pro-industrialists.
 

	Those who gave away precious natural resources like coal and spectrum to their favourite industrialists have no right to say this. We are working for the common man of the country. 
 
 
 
 

	We implemented the Jan Dhan scheme and opened more than 14 crore bank accounts for financial inclusion. Earlier also, there were banks, as well as people without bank accounts. What did they do all these years?
 

	The so called pro-poor have been just repeating that there is leakage in subsidy. We used technology to ensure that LPG subsidy reaches the targeted person directly; We have launched MUDRA Bank for financing 6 crore small vendors and businesses 61% of whom are SCs, STs, OBCs and Minorities; We have launched the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana which the Congress did not think of in sixty years; We have planned to see that by 2022, no family remains without a roof over its head; The Soil Health Card scheme has been launched to enhance farm productivity and reduce expenses, thereby enhancing the farmer's income. 
 

	We have come out with a comprehensive social security scheme for the poor and marginalised, old and those with low income levels; Swachh Bharat Mission has been started to see that health and hygiene issues of the poor do not affect the working capacity and output of the poor and labourers; Railways, on which the common man travels, is being changed for the better.
 

	We have set up the Skill Development Ministry to enhance employability of the youth to whom we are committed to provide jobs through initiatives like 'Make in India'. In the past, the country had been led into an economy of jobless growth.
 

	We provided for reservation of women in the police forces of Union Territories. This was done even when there were no elections around the corner. 
 

	Through the regime of coal auction that we have put in place, more than Rs. three lakh crore have already been generated for the less-developed states of India. This money will be used for the poor of those states.
 
 These are just a few examples. Why were these things not done in the past sixty years. Who prevented them? Their worry is not that we are not pro-poor. Their worry is that they are being exposed as not being pro-poor. People are asking them: "If <keyword id="6360789" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-Government">Modi Government</keyword> can think and do this in six to nine months, why could you not think and do it in sixty years." 

	10. You have travelled to 17 countries in 12 months...something that nobody expected you to do as you were seen as a novice on foreign policy matters. But you seem to enjoy running the country's foreign policy. Any comments? 
 

	Foreign engagements are international obligations on the part of the Prime Minister. All Prime Ministers have to do this. Moreover, this is an integrated world. We have to attend international, multilateral and bilateral summits, and build ties with our neighbours and other nations. Our foreign policy is mature and there is a full-fledged mechanism to pursue it. I have only added an element of dynamism to it. We have strived to strongly further our economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region. We have endeavoured to nurture new economic partnerships and tap reserves of energy, minerals, technology and finance from major economies.
 
 11. In real terms, do you see that the Chinese will actually deliver on the financial pledge they have done, that the US will open up its markets for India, that Pakistan will give up its anti-India agenda? That our smaller neighbours will stop seeing us as a bully? Yes, I am sure that the commitments and agreements will be implemented. We have received a commitment from the Government of <keyword id="6355311" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Japan">Japan</keyword> for facilitating public and private funding of 3.5 trillion Yen - or approximately $35 billion dollars - over the next five years; there are agreements with China on two industrial parks and intended investments of 20 billion US dollars; there are investment plans of about 42 billion U.S. dollars from U.S. companies over the next five years. <keyword id="6358826" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russia">Russia</keyword> has proposed to manufacture helicopters in India. With Australia and Canada, we have signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements, and other agreements to strengthen our energy security. With the United States, we have moved forward in implementation of the civil nuclear agreement and signed a significant partnership agreement to use renewable energy for rapidly expanding rural access to energy. There has been good response from financial institutions, including pension funds from Korea, Canada, Australia and the US. There is a strong support in all major economies for our "Make in India" programme. 

	In the neighbourhood, there has been forward movement on the 5600 MW Pancheshwar project in Nepal, that was stuck for the last 25 years. Similarly, with Bangladesh we have settled the land boundary issue. We are working with a spirit of mutual benefit. There is no question of bullying anyone. Our recent help to Nepal during the natural calamity shows that our approach is brotherly. With Pakistan too, we will pursue our long-standing approach. We will continue our efforts to advance cooperation and connectivity, without compromising our national security. 
 

	12. If we were to return to domestic issues, you have come for criticism from many for not being able to reign in vitriolic elements in your party who have made disparaging remarks against minorities. What do you say? 
 

	Our Constitution guarantees religious freedom to every citizen and that is not negotiable. The tradition of welcoming, respecting and honouring all faiths is as old as India itself. As Swami Vivekananda said: We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. This principle of equal respect and treatment for all faiths has been a part of India's ethos for thousands of years. And that is how it became integral to the Constitution of India. Our Constitution did not evolve in a vacuum. It has roots in the ancient cultural traditions of India. I expect that everyone will understand and respect this.
 

	13. Why do some elements in your party feel emboldened to say awful things even though they ought to know that a Prime Minister of India cannot really support bigots in his cabinet? 
 

	I have said this before and I say it again: any discrimination or violence against any community will not be tolerated. My position on this is very clear: Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas. We stand for each of the 1.25 billion Indians regardless of caste or creed and we will work for the progress of each of them. Every faith in our country has equal rights; it is equal not only before the law but also before society. 

	 
	As published in ET.

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