Every Indian to have a home by 2022: Takeaways from Modi's Varanasi speech

Referring to demonetisation, PM Modi said his govt had waged a war against black money

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised to double farm income and provide homes for the homeless by 2022 while addressing farmers in Shahanshahpur in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. 

PM Modi lashed out at his political rivals, saying for BJP, politics was not for the sake of votes as it considered the country's development as the top-most priority.

He was addressing a public meeting after inaugurating a 'Pashu Arogya Mela' (cattle health fair) here on the second day of his two-day visit to his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi.

On the first day of his visit, Modi inaugurated 17 infra projects worth over Rs 1000 crore including the Ramnagar-Samne Ghat bridge and the Balua Ghat bridge.

He also flagged off the third Mahamana Express train between Varanasi and Vadodara.

Here are the highlights of his speech:

1) Maintaining that crores of families are still homeless, he said the government has decided to provide each of the urban and rural poor a shelter by 2022 when the country celebrates its 75th year of independence. "When crores of houses are built across the country, it will require bricks, cement, iron, and wood. It will generate jobs for thousands and open up new avenues of income and employment," the Prime Minister said. Modi, who distributed Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana certificates to some beneficiaries, said "By 2022, every poor, whether in urban or rural area, will get a home. Building crores of homes will generate jobs and income."

2) He also targeted the erstwhile Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh for not providing the Centre with the list of homeless requiring houses in the state. "The previous government had no interest in giving homes to the poor. After mounting pressure, they gave a list of only 10,000. But the current (Yogi Adityanath) government has given a list of lakhs of people to avail benefit," Modi said.

3) Referring to demonetisation, he said his government had "waged a war" against black money and corruption, for which the poor had to suffer because of "the loot" by the dishonest.

4) Modi said that the government has kick-started a big battle against black money, corruption, and dishonesty. "A common honest man suffers as corrupt used to loot him. The campaign of honesty is going ahead like a festival. The way in which our trader brothers are associating with GST and Aadhar. Every penny of people will be spent for their welfare. We are moving forward fast," he said.

5) "Our (BJP) politics is not for votes, our culture is different. In politics, people do only that task which yields votes, but our character is different. Some politicians work only when it fetches them votes. But we have been brought up in a different culture. ... For us, the nation is above all and it is our top-most priority, not votes," Modi said.

6) Referring to the mega animal fair being organised for the first time on 1,800 acres of land here, he said "these animals don't go to cast their ballot. They are not anyone's voters."

7) He said proper healthcare of the cattle, through such initiatives, would help increase India's milk production, which is lower than in several countries.

8) Encouraging farmers to adopt dairy and animal husbandry as alternate sources of income, Modi said such initiatives would lead to "a new path of progress" that would not only raise farmers' income but also the overall income.

9) Referring to his government's cleanliness drive, he said toilets at home can save up to Rs 50,000 per annum as per a survey.

10) Praising the villagers of Shahanshahpur, where he went for laying the foundation of a toilet, for naming the toilet as "Izzatghar", Modi said, "I liked this word so much. Where there is Izzatghar, there is honour of our mothers and sisters. I also congratulate the state government for recognising it as Izzatghar. In the days to come those who are concerned about their honour, will construct Izzatghar."