Government moving to rid India of corruption: Modi on coal auction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Indian government was moving forward to eliminate corruption and that the auction of 20 coal blocks, of the 204 that were cancelled by the Supreme Court, has fetched Rs.2 lakh crore, much more than estimated.

Speaking at a civic reception at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in the Mauritius capital, the prime minister said that earlier, the reputation of India was marred by reports of corruption.

He said that in India, the coal block corruption caused a loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore and his government scrapped the 204 coal mine licences.

He said only 20 coal blocks have been auctioned of the 204 and "we received more than Rs.2 lakh crore from them".

Modi said this goes to show that if the country is run on principles, then it can be rid of corruption.

He said the country has taken the step forward against corruption and his government was moving forward on the path.

He also highlighted the government's 'Make in India' initiative, and said the government was giving the red carpet instead of red tape to investors.

Modi praised the contribution of the Indian indentured labourers for taking Mauritius to new heights of development and progress by dint of their hard work.

To loud cheers and chants of "Modi, Modi", the prime minister said that when the world praises the development of Mauritius, the "credit comes into our (India's) account".

"The people who came here as indentured labourers, today they have taken the place to new heights through their labour and suffering; but the credit comes to our account, when people ask about the development in Mauritius, as all were from India," he said to loud clapping.

He said Mauritius has "won me over" and thus increased his responsibility.

He assured that "India will do everything to live up to its responsibility" towards Mauritius.

Modi saluted the Indian community for the progress and development of Mauritius.

"If people see Mauritius, they can judge how India will be, for when the sample (Mauritius) is good, how will then the (godown) be," he said, taking the example of mangoes.

He said the similarity in views was "part of our tradition".

Modi said that small islands were worried about climate change, of being drowned under rising oceans in years to come. He said island countries like Mauritius can give a message to the world on climate change.