Govt doing everything to kickstart country's growth: MJ Akbar

Noted author and BJP's national spokesperson M J Akbar today said that the Narendra Modi-led government is doing everything to make India a growth engine despite inheriting various problems from the previous Congress government.
Speaking at an event organised by the Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC) here in the city, on 'Current Economic and Political Trends', Akbar said, "When Modi took over, the country was riddled with corruption and bureaucrats were not comfortable to take decisions. Then Modi infused a sense of confidence into the machinery".
Referring to Modi's first ever speech in Parliament in which the PM had said that, "The age of poverty alleviation is over and the era of poverty elimination has begun", Akbar said, "This government is very much committed to reach out to poor sections of society.

Its thumping success can be seen by the fact that different projects have been launched by Modi like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana, which have received unexpected response".
He said that the PM's appeal to bankers to extend a helping hand by offering loans to Dalits, tribals and women in his Independence Day speech was another move to prove his government's commitment, Akbar said.
Replying to former Mumbai police commissioner Julio Ribeiro's query about why the BJP government had reduced the budget for health and education sector, Akbar clarified that it was noted that there was a huge mismatch in budget allocation and spending in these two fields, due to which the government streamlined it.

However, he said that both health and education were high priorities for the Modi government.
Calling the Parliament's monsoon session "a washout" because of the Congress party's "hysteria and immaturity", Akbar said, "The Congress will definitely face the consequences in the coming days and elections".