BJP President Amit Shah on Sunday said the Narendra Modi government has taken steps to secure the country's borders and pursued policies which have made India the fastest-growing economy in the world.
"The Modi government has taken steps to secure the country's borders," Shah said addressing a public gathering on the occasion of 35th annual fair at Agroha Dham in Hisar, Haryana, an event organised by Agroha Vikas Trust.
Shah, who was the chief guest at the function, referred to Lance Naik Hemraj, who was killed and then beheaded by Pakistani soldiers in 2013.
"Under the NDA government led by Narendra Modi, no one will dare insult our martyrs like Hemraj. No one can dare commit any misadventure and our brave forces, due to the government's strong political will, we are ready to meet all challenges," he said.
On the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Shah said Sales Tax, VAT, Octroi, Service Tax and Excise Duty will be brought under the GST ambit and added that "our government has fulfilled the dreams of traders".
Due to the government's strong political will, we are ready to meet all challenges.
"Once it (GST) is implemented from April 1, 2017, it will further increase the economic might of India in the world. It is a bold step taken by the government," he said.
He said earlier there were many obstacles in the path of the country on the economic front.
"There were many obstacles and the Modi government removed all of these. After two-and-a-half years (of rule), today we are the fastest growing economy in the world," he said.
Without naming Congress, Shah alleged that successive governments at the Centre allegedly failed to create enough employment opportunities and said those who framed the policies earlier were unaware that the country also belonged to businessmen and small traders.
Shah said the BJP government had taken several steps to generate jobs through self employment which has empowered the youth.
"Through Mudra Bank, loans ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 10 lakh have been extended to small traders without guarantee. During past two-and-a-half years loans worth Rs 2 lakh crore have have been given to 4.5 crore youths by our government and this is a big achievement," he said.
Shah also touched upon schemes like Stand-up India, Start-up India and Make in India. "In five to ten years, this country will be the top economy of the world," he said.
Shah said more than 250 initiatives have been taken by the Modi government to improve trade and because of this the country has moved forward in Global Competitive Index. It is because of these efforts that foreign companies are keen to set up projects in the country, he added.
Shah said the fundamental principles of legendary king Maharaja Agrasen were business and through it promoting culture, ensuring the state's security, state's pride and dedicating lives for the sake of nation and welfare of poor.
He said the NDA government is following the path shown by Maharaja Agrasen and is working hard to make the country prosperous, taking steps to ensure the country's security and uplift the poorest of the poor. "The government believes that if the country is to prosper, its economy has to be strong," he said.
Shah said Maharaja Agrasen was known for his compassion who had taken numerous steps to protect the environment and stop animal slaughter.
He said even after over 5,100 years, people celebrate Maharaja Agrasen's jayanti because of his high ideals, which are still relevant today. On the occasion of Sharad Purnima, lakhs had come to Agroha Dham, a temple complex here, to pay tribute to Maharaja Agrasen.
Shah said the Centre's flagship Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao programme has achieved success in bridging the gender ratio gap. Referring to the BJP government in Haryana, Shah said it had taken several pro-people and pro-poor initiatives as well. During Haryana's golden jubilee celebrations, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has vowed to make the state kerosene-free.
Shah also appealed to Rajya Sabha MP and media baron Subhash Chandra, who was present at the event, to adopt five villages to make them model villages. Chandra later announced that he would adopt the villages in Hisar district to make them "smart villages in the next 18 months".
Shah's son, Jay Shah, was also present at the function, along with 111 MLAs and 29 MPs belonging to the Vaishya community from various political parties.
Among others who spoke on the occasion included senior BJP leader and the party's Haryana affairs in-charge Anil Jain, state Industries Minister Vipul Goel and Chattisgarh Cabinet Minister Brij Mohan Aggarwal. Rajinder Agrawal, an MP from Meerut, was also present.
Jain said the Vaishya community was known for their philanthropic work and social causes, such as setting up of educational institutions and hospitals.
Responding to suggestions made by various speakers at the event that the Vaishya community should be given more representation in the upcoming polls in various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Jain said the BJP will consider giving more representation to them.
Notably, today's event was held as part of an exercise to rally around various castes and sub-castes linked to the Vaishya community.
Earlier, on arriving in Hisar, Shah and Chandra took part in a puja at a temple at Agroha Dham.
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