PM to flag off Del-Agartala BG train service on July 31

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the broad gauge train service between Delhi and Agartala from the national capital on July 31.
Simultaneously, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu will flag off the service from the Agartala end, Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey told reporters here.
The new direct train would be named as 'Tripureswari Super Fast express,' he said.
Prabhu would also lay the foundation for the Agartala - Akhaura railway service to connect India's North-East with neighbouring Bangladesh, he said.
Referring to the ambitious plan to mobilise idle gold
lying with households and temples, the Prime Minister said that since jewellery is used only 2-5 times in a year by holders, it is better loaned to the government for boosting economy.

"Unfortunately gold is linked to social status in India. ...It remains locked as dead money... You can deposit it with the government and take it out when needed. This will boost the country's economy," Modi said.

As per an estimate, about 20,000 tonne of gold is lying with households and temples across the country.
Referring to the excise duty levied on jewellery, which had led to widespread protest by jewellers, Modi said both sides entered into a dialogue to resolve the matter.
"I know where I have come. You people have forced governments to roll back decisions.
"(Following dialogues) it is good that exice duty also remained as well as issues were resolved. We have ended the atmosphere of fear (tax raids)," he said.

Modi said he has already ordered officials to consider citizens as partners in nation building and not to view taxpayers as evaders.
He further said jewellery market all over the world is growing and handmade, manual jewellery is something that is becoming very popular.
"Look beyond the domestic market. Yes, it is big and lucrative, but look at the global market too," he said.
He further said that for initiatives like 'Make In India' to succeed, innovation is very important and this happens when importance is given to skill development.
Modi also rejected the demand of the industry for a separate ministry of gems and jewellery, saying the Prime Minister himself is for the development of the sector.

Recalling recent issues related to excise duty, the Prime Minister said they gave an opportunity for the Gems and Jewellery industry to better understand the working of the government, and vice versa.
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Elaborating on the Income Disclosure scheme, Modi said why people should live with burden of black money and lose their sleep.
"Why should they fear income tax officers or government? This (scheme) is an opportunity to declare undisclosed income before September 30. I do not want people to lose sleep after September 30. I want 125 crore people to sleep peacefully," the Prime Minister said.
Referring to media, he said in a lighter vein that as praise has been showered on him at the function and hence nothing will be published in tomorrow's newspapers.

"Had you been critical that would have been made to the newspapers," he added.
Besides union ministers Piyush Goyal and Santosh Gangwar, BJP President Amit Shah was also present at the event organised by Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation.