Modi government determined to get back black money: Shah

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government was determined to get back black money stashed abroad, but could not announce the names of culprits due to international treaties, BJP president Amit Shah said here on Tuesday.

"We have enacted a law on black money and we are determined to get it back. But, if the BJP government announces the names of those who have black money, then as per the international treaties, we will not get further information," said Shah, while addressing the media on the completion of one year of the NDA government.

Taking a dig at the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government over the black money issue, Shah said, "What has the Congress done in 60 years in power for recovering black money?"

"What is your interest? To make headlines or to protect those on whom we still have no information," he asked.

He said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had performed well in the past one year, adding that there was no corruption under the Modi government.

"Under Modi's leadership, we had promised that we will root out corruption. We have been able to do that. Even our political opponents have not been able to point fingers at us regarding any scam," the BJP president pointed out.

Shah also hailed the NDA government for giving a boost to the Indian economy, saying that fiscal deficit was under control, trade had grown, and foreign investments were at their highest in the past 10 years and prices brought under control.

"When the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to power, the economy's growth rate was around 4.4 percent. When they bowed out, it was 8.4 percent. During the UPA rule, it went down to around 4.4 percent. After one year of Modi government, the growth rate is now at 5.7 percent," he remarked.

The BJP leader also said that the government had initiated various infrastructure projects in the country.

"We are a pro-active and visible government," Shah said, adding that the government had come out of a policy paralysis.

"The world is acknowledging India's development and progress today," he added.

"This has been a visible government; earlier, the government needed to be found. I believe that the major achievement of our government is to remove the trust deficit (vishwas ka sankat) this country had," the BJP president said.

Shah asserted that no government had worked to improve the federal structure of India more than the one headed by Modi.

On the occasion, Shah also announced that the party would try and reach out to over eight crore households in the next three months, adding that "we believe that it is our duty to give the people an account of the work done by the Modi government in the past one year".