Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 12: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12 years in office as a period of unprecedented change, saying the country has witnessed a comprehensive transformation across governance, economy and social development.
Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis congratulated the Prime Minister for becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister, surpassing the tenure record previously held by Jawaharlal Nehru. On behalf of Maharashtra's 14 crore residents, he described Modi as not only the longest-serving but also one of the most impactful Prime Ministers the country has seen.
The Chief Minister said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has achieved remarkable political success under Modi's leadership, with governments currently in power across 22 states. According to him, this represents a level of political reach and public support rarely witnessed in India's history.
Fadnavis also pointed to India's growing global stature, noting that the country remains the world's fastest-growing major economy and that Prime Minister Modi continues to enjoy strong approval ratings internationally.
Highlighting welfare initiatives, he said more than 25 crore people have moved out of extreme poverty during the past decade. He also cited the success of the 'Lakhpati Didi' programme, under which millions of women have become financially independent, while women's participation in the armed forces has significantly increased.
On the economic front, Fadnavis said India has strengthened its financial position considerably, with robust foreign exchange reserves, growing tax collections and increased capital expenditure on infrastructure. He noted that direct benefit transfer schemes have streamlined welfare delivery by transferring funds directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts, reducing leakages and improving transparency.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the global expansion of India's digital payment ecosystem, stating that the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has gained acceptance in several countries. He added that investments in roads, highways and other infrastructure projects have accelerated substantially over the past decade.
Praising the Modi government's governance record, Fadnavis asserted that the administration has maintained a clean image and focused on long-term welfare measures. He cited the free foodgrain programme benefiting millions of citizens as an example of policies aimed at ensuring social security and dignity.
Referring to India's economic resilience, he said the country has moved far beyond earlier concerns about external debt and financial instability, emerging instead as a confident and rapidly growing global economy.
Addressing state-specific issues, Fadnavis said the Maharashtra government has constituted a sub-committee to monitor the implementation of its farm loan waiver scheme, which has already benefited around 40 lakh farmers. He also advised farmers to diversify cropping patterns and follow official agricultural guidance during the upcoming sowing season, assuring them of government support, including adequate fodder availability for livestock.