india

Updated: Jul 06, 2017 09:57 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day tour of Gujarat by asking farmers to make the most of agricultural schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which are meant to safeguard their interests.

His suggestion came in the backdrop of the recent farmer agitations in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Several states – including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra – have waived off loans to placate agitators.

“The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is no ordinary scheme. It provides insurance cover if the yield is affected due to lack of rain or crop failure…” he said, expressing happiness over a large number of farmers in his home state availing schemes floated by the NDA government. Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat before he went on to become the country’s premier.

The Prime Minister also announced his decision to build a grand monument for Lord Buddha in Aravalli. Addressing people at the inaugural ceremony of a water supply project in Modasa, Modi said: “There used to be a general notion that Lord Buddha is popular only in the eastern belt of the country. But the (recovery of ancient Buddhist relics during an) excavation at Dev ni Mori near Shamlaji temple in Aravalli established that Lord Buddha’s influence had reached the western belt too.”

Modi said it was his dream to build a monument at Dev ni Mori, so people from all places across the world can come and view the relics. “This dream will be fulfilled with the help of people’s participation and blessings.”

The Prime Minister claimed that ancient Chinese traveller Huan Tsang’s diary had referred to Vadnagar – his hometown – as a place where nearly 10,000 Buddhist monks lived centuries ago. Hence, it was only fitting that he dedicate a Rs 552-crore drinking water scheme, which would provide for over 600 villages and three towns, in the district.

Keen on creating awareness of the region and its needs among young engineers, Modi suggested that the authorities include a chapter on government-run water projects in the curricula of technical institutes across Gujarat. “For now, we have ensured that farmers in the state get adequate water through various irrigation schemes,” he added.

The state will go to the polls in another six months.

At another event in Gandhinagar, Modi said India is going up the Global Competitiveness Index.

“India has moved up 32 places in the last two years in the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum. This is the highest for any country,” Modi said at the Textile Conclave and Expo 2017 , where more than 80 countries are taking part.

“India moved up 19 places on the World Bank Logistics Performance Index of 2016. We also moved up 16 places on the Global Innovation Index of the World Intellectual Property Organisation in 2016. We are third among the top 10 FDI destinations listed by the UN Conference on Trade and Development,” he said.

Modi further said more than 7,000 reforms have been implemented to improve ease of doing business. Processes have been simplified and made transparent. The government has repealed over 1,200 outdated laws. “These are just a few examples.” he said.

“We have one of the most liberal investment policies for foreign investment in the textile and apparel sector. We allow 100% FDI through automatic route in textile and apparel sector.”

The Prime Minister also presided over the inauguration ceremony of a multi-storeyed sports complex built on public-private partnership.