In popular perception, as also in BW Businessworld surveys, Nitin Gadkari is rated as the most efficient and effective minister in the Narendra Modi cabinet. In a free-wheeling conversation with BW’s Suman K. Jha, the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation talks about the government’s priorities as well as other pressing issues. Excerpts:
Is the Narendra Modi government already in election mode?
Every politician thinks about the next election. We are always in election mode — some people may express it, some may not. At the same time, developmental work is very important. In fact, I would never mix politics with development.
How will you beat anti-incumbency if the entire Opposition comes together?
An alliance of the Opposition parties is not on the basis of any ideology. It’s politics of convenience. I feel the Indian people understand what’s in the interest of the country and what’s not. The people have seen through the Opposition’s design.
PM Modi promised acche din. Do you think that has been delivered?
One hundred per cent! Take our flagship schemes. The Ujjwala Yojna is about letting the poor experience the convenience of LPG stoves. More than eight crore gas cylinders have been delivered. In the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna, 32 crore bank accounts have been opened — the earlier figure was only three crore.
The new entrants into the system are getting debit cards. The Bhagyashri Yojna takes power to the farthest corner of the country. The recently launched health insurance scheme, which provides coverage up to Rs 5 lakh, is revolutionary and will benefit the poor. All our schemes are geared to empowering the poor. Our increased MSPs will immensely help farmers. There is one hundred per cent satisfaction. However, as the people see a government working so hard, their expectations also increase manifold — this is also a reality.
The sector which has seen the most visible change during the tenure of this government is part of your ministry — the highways and road construction sector. How do you evaluate this change?
この記事は Businessworld の September 1st, 2018 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Businessworld の September 1st, 2018 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
MEMORIES & IMPRESSIONS
Ratan Tata was an exceptional human being. He was a visionary leader, esteemed industrialist, and a humanitarian, who left an indelible mark on India and the world.
The Robotaxi Market
The robotaxi market is shaping up to be a high-stakes battleground as tech giants and automakers race to transform urban mobility.
And the Nobel Prize Goes to AI
The recent Nobel Prize T awards to AI pioneers affiliated with Google have sparked a broader conversation about Big Tech's influence on research and the limitations of traditional prize categories.
Ola Electrified
Once considered a trailblazer in India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, Bhavish Aggarwal’s Ola Electric now faces a major accountability crisis.
Sharp Slide in Industrial Output on Eve of Deepavali
India’s index of industrial production (IIP) saw a sharp reversal in August, contracting by 0.1 per cent, in stark contrast to the 4.7 per cent growth in July, mostly because of significant contractions in mining and electricity generation.
Heralding the Solar Era with Sustainable Electrification
RAJEEV KASHYAP on the economics of solar power, the hurdles in scaling it, and much more
A WELL-GREASED MACHINE
The OmniBook X14 laptop runs on first-generation Snapdragon X Elite, which bets big on Al-enabled productivity and battery life, but falls short when it comes to overall experience, says Deep Majumdar
DO NOT LETA HEALTH CRISIS RUIN YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH
For a family of four living in a metro, it is recommended to opt for a family floater health insurance plan with a sum insured of at least Rs 15-20 lakh
Disruption Ahead: Beyond Organisation Charts and Structures
ALBERT EINSTEIN FAMOUSLY said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Dr. Rahul Shivajirao Kadam: A Visionary Leader Blending Sustainability, Innovation, And Social Empowerment
We are on the stage of global warming, and these technologies not only help prevent further damage but also leave behind a better environment for future generations.