Why delivering a big bang package of reforms is doable for Modi govt

The important thing is to signal to the market that the government is serious and ambitious.

Business Standard : The Indian economy keeps on easing back. The month to month Index of Industrial Production tumbled to an eight-year low in the period of September, shrinking by more than 4 percent. As indicated by India's national bank, development in bank credit to ventures around the same time tumbled to 2.7 percent, the most reduced in a year. While the numbers for administrations are somewhat better, even they remain at a two-year low.

Market analysts have little confidence that things will pivot alone. The administration urgently needs to resuscitate speculation. The best way to do so is to grasp something it's dodged so far: a genuine change "huge explosion."

Budget 2020

Authorities can sincerely say that they've executed a lot of changes since Prime Minister Narendra Modi first came to control in 2014. In his first term, the administration initiated another liquidation code and an across the nation merchandise and-enterprises charge. It's recapitalized and solidified state-possessed banks. In September, it sliced corporate assessment rates from 30 percent to 22 percent for existing organizations and to only 15 percent for new organizations; that at long last makes India focused with the remainder of Asia. The administration likewise declared alleviation measures for the focused on land division and disclosed new discounts for exporters.

Modi plainly lean towards a steady way to deal with change, one that diminishes the odds of a political kickback. He needs to fear supporters as much as, if not more than the profoundly debilitated resistance. Powerful voices inside the decision Bharatiya Janata Party and its subsidiaries firmly contradict clearing exchange accords, for example, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the privatization of state-claimed organizations.

While supportive, however, these measures without anyone else's input aren't sufficiently able to restore the creature spirits of Indian and remote financial specialists. India's issues are just excessively profound. The profits from the constrained changes did during the 1990s and mid 2000s have dwindled. The nation is progressively incorporated with the worldwide economy - it's consented to organized commerce arrangements with Southeast Asian countries, Japan and Korea - which just features its absence of aggressiveness.

Financial specialists, including Indians who have more alternatives now in view of extensive capital record progression, may think that its increasingly gainful to put somewhere else in Asia. This is especially valid for assembling yet additionally of administrations: Even in zones, for example, data innovation, where India was at one time a world-blender, rising wages have made it a less appealing spot to work together.

Amid row, Hindi imposition clause removed in revised education policy draft

In the earlier draft, the panel had suggested mandatory teaching of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states.

Amid controversy over the recommendation of an HRD Ministry panel to teach Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states, a revised draft education policy was issued on Monday that did not have a mention of the language being compulsory.

The DMK and other parties in Tamil Nadu had strongly opposed the three-language formula in the draft National Education Policy and alleged that it was tantamount to thrusting the Hindi language.

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"Students who wish to change one or more of the three languages they are studying may do so in Grade 6 or Grade 7, so long as they are able to still demonstrate proficiency in three languages (one language at the literature level) in their modular Board Examinations some time during secondary school," the revised draft of the NEP said.

In the earlier draft, the panel had suggested mandatory teaching of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states.

"Students who wish to change one of the three languages they are studying may do so in Grade 6, so long as the study of three languages by students in the Hindi-speaking states would continue to include Hindi and English and one of the modern Indian languages from other parts of India, while the study of languages by students in the non-Hindi-speaking states would include the regional language, Hindi and English," the draft policy had earlier said.

The PMK, an ally of the BJP, had also alleged that the recommendation was imposition of Hindi and wanted the scrapping of the proposal.

"It was a draft report and not a policy yet. We have sought feedback from various stakeholders. The committee has modified the earlier draft and made some changes," a Human Resource Development Ministry official said.

According to the revised draft, the modular board examinations for language proficiency would test only basic proficiency in each language. "Such a change in language choice in Grade 6 would certainly be feasible if the student so desires and would in such cases be supported by teachers and the schooling system."

Union minister Prakash Javadekar, who had the formed the panel when he was the HRD minister in the previous term, had earlier asserted that no language should be imposed on anyone. He clarified that the committee had only prepared a draft report and no decision had been taken on implementing it.

Jobs deficit: Why Gujarat's GIFT City is struggling to create employment

Despite efforts by Modi over the past five years to offer tax and regulatory concessions, and a big push to get banks and brokerages into GIFT, the project remains far short of expectatation.

When he was chief minister of Gujarat in 2011, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off an ambitious project to develop a financial hub in the style of Singapore or Dubai.

The developers were tasked with transforming an expanse larger than New York's Central Park into a city with more than 100 skyscrapers supporting more than 1 million jobs - all within a decade.

Nearly eight years later, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, or GIFT City, supports only 9,000 jobs and only about 3 million of its 62 million square feet of planned development have been built, according to documents from the company's current presentations to investors reviewed by Reuters, and interviews with GIFT officials. Three million square feet are under construction.

Despite efforts by the Modi government over the past five years to offer tax and regulatory concessions, and a big push to get banks and brokerages into GIFT, the project remains far short of expectations. GIFT's future is uncertain, with its main partner in financial trouble over soured bets in other projects.

The lack of development and job creation at GIFT, critics say, reflects one of Modi's challenges as a whole as he begins a second term in office.

Critics contend GIFT is a high-profile example of some of Modi's ill-conceived and over-ambitious initiatives. They note demonetisation - Modi's move in 2016 to ban all high-value currency notes then circulating - is another big example of overstretching, as was his government's hurried and botched rollout of a nationwide goods and services tax. Those moves stung small businesses and dented India's economy.

"The real issue is Mr. Modi's quixotic approach to macro-economic management," said Sebastian Morris, a senior faculty member of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, one of the country's top business schools.

He said GIFT was impracticable, ignoring issues such as location and skills availability. Some bankers also complained that the Gujarat state's decades-long alcohol prohibition policy hasn't helped either.

Modi's office and the Gujarat chief minister's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Business Standard

My wine in their bottle': Bhupinder Hooda on Modi govt's quota for poor

Hooda-led Govt had in 2013 approved a proposal of 10% reservation for economically poor sections in general category.

Haryana's former two-time chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda dubs the Modi government's 10 per cent reservation for poor in the general category "his wine in their bottle" and says though the BJP can take credit for his work, it will not get the votes.

Accusing the BJP of indulging in "political vendetta", the senior Congress leader, who is contesting from Sonipat Lok Sabha seat, alleged that the CBI raids at his Rohtak residence in January were aimed at maligning him ahead of the May 12 election.

"I brought it (reservation for poor in general category) in Haryana first. I ensured that irrespective of caste and economy, everybody gets reservation. They (BJP) opposed it at that time. Now they have repackaged it at the national level and are trying to reap its benefits. It is my wine in their bottle," Hooda told PTI in an interview.

The Hooda-led Haryana government had in 2013 approved a proposal to grant 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections in the general category on the recommendation of the Haryana Backward Classes Commission.

"They (BJP) think they can take credit for my work; they certainly can, but they cannot get votes on its basis. People are shrewd enough to decide, they can make a mistake once but not again and again," the Congress leader said.

The Congress is banking on Hooda and his son Deepender Singh Hooda, who is seeking re-election from Rohtak for a fourth time, to revive the party's fortunes in Haryana.
Hoodas are one of the few clans that have dominated the political scenario in Haryana for decades.

Hooda first contested parliamentary elections in 1952 from the Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency and won with a huge margin. He retained the seat in the next election and was elected to the Rajya Sabha.

Speaking about his initial reluctance to contest the polls this year, Hooda said, "I was apprehensive, but if the party leadership wants me to contest, I will not say no to it. My wife is from Sonipat. It has also been my father's constituency when he was in the Lok Sabha. It is certainly my stronghold and I will win."

Business Standard

Pulwama: Amit Shah urges rivals to rise above politics on national security

The Congress had attacked the Modi government, saying incidents of terror attacks have gone unabated under its rule.

BJP President Amit Shah Friday appealed to political parties to rise above politics and come together on the issue of national security, saying these are times when "we must strengthen our resolve to make India stronger and safer".

Shah's appeal came in the wake of one of the deadliest terror attacks on security forces in Kashmir that left 37 CRPF personnel dead on Thursday.

ALSO READ: Pulwama attack live updates: India withdraws MFN status given to Pakistan

The Congress had attacked the Modi government, saying incidents of terror attacks have gone unabated under its rule.

(Business Standard)

"These are times when we all must come together and strengthen our resolve to make India stronger and safer. I appeal to the political class- let us rise above politics and show that we are together when it comes to matters of national security. Nothing matters above India!" Shah said in a series of tweets.

The horrific attack in Pulwama has saddened the entire nation, he said, condemning the barbaric mentality that speeds such kind of hate and violence.

"PM Narendra Modi assured the nation that the sacrifices of our martyrs shall not go in vain.130 crore Indians stand in complete solidarity with the families of the courageous heroes who devoted their life in service of the nation. Generations to come will remember their valour. We pray the injured get well soon," the BJP president said.

More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway in Awantipora in South Kashmir on Thursday.

The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Chandrababu Naidu begins fast over Andhra special status; Opposition to extend support

A TDP delegation led by Chandrababu Naidu will submit a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu began a day-long fast in Delhi on Monday, demanding that the Centre grant special status to the state and fulfil all promises made before its bifurcation in 2014.

A number of Opposition party leaders - including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal - are expected to extend their support to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief's fast at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan.

Before beginning the fast, Naidu offered tributes to Matama Gandhi at Raj Ghat and to B R Ambedkar at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan.

ALSO READ: LIVE: Priyanka in Lucknow, Modi in Vrindavan; Naidu begins day-long fast

A TDP delegation led by Naidu will submit a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday.

Naidu has been trying to unite the opposition parties to take on the BJP in the general elections. Over the last three months, he has held a number of meetings with the opposition party leaders on forming an anti-BJP front.

In March last year, the TDP had pulled out of the NDA government over its refusal to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh.

The party has been accusing the Narendra Modi government of not releasing enough funds for the Polavaram irrigation project, the Kadapa steel plant and Amravati, the under-construction ultra-modern state capital.

On June 2, 2014, Andhra Pradesh was split into two, and Hyderabad became the capital of the new state Telangana.

Business Standard

Student leaders say no talk of jobs in Budget, to march to Parliament

Students under various outfits will march from the historic Red Fort to Parliament on Thursday in protest.

Student leaders on Tuesday accused the Union government of presenting an Interim Budget that was silent on the issue of jobs and employment opportunities for youth in the country.

Students under various outfits will march from the historic Red Fort to Parliament on Thursday in protest, they said in a joint statement.

N Sai Balaji, the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union, said, "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi will come to young India for one more chance. But this time we are not going to give him any chance as our PM.

Modi has ruined our future. Through our unity we are going to ensure all vacant government jobs are filled, 10 per cent of GDP is spent on education, gender and social justice is ensured."

Student leaders from AISA, Pinjra tod, Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha, Aam Aadmi Party students' wing Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), Youth for Swaraj etc. argued how the budget was conspicuous by its silence on the issue of jobs, except for pompously declaring that job-seekers have turned job-creators in India.

"This is a huge blow to the youth of the country who are suffering from massive unemployment rate in the wake of demonetisation.

The budget is equally silent about the key demands of regularisation and minimum wages raised by employees," they said in the statement.

Shivani from CYSS said campuses have been turned into "war zones" by the Modi government.

Business Standard

Priyanka's resemblance to Indira Gandhi will benefit Congress: Shiv Sena

The BJP's ally also said that comments by ruling party leaders stating Priyanka was formally inducted due to the the Congress president's 'failure' had no substance.

The Shiv Sena Friday said that Priyanka Gandhi will emerge as the "queen" if she plays her cards well and held that with her induction, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has shown he will do whatever it takes to win the upcoming general elections.

The BJP's ally also said that comments by ruling party leaders stating Priyanka was formally inducted due to the the Congress president's "failure" had no substance.

It added that the Congress chief had increased the problems of the government by raising the Rafale fighter jet purchase issue.

Even if Gandhi's attacks on the Modi government over corruption in the Rafale deal are ignored, not giving him credit for the wins of the Congress in three states (in recent Assembly polls) would show a closed mindset, it said.

"In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP tied up not giving space to the Congress. However, Rahul Gandhi, with a lot of patience, kept his cool," it said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamna'.

It said Gandhi played his cards well by announcing that the Congress would fight on all seats in Uttar Pradesh, while helping the SP and BSP wherever possible, and at the same time bringing Priyanka into mainstream politics.

"This will help the Congress. Even the Prime Minister had to speak over this (Priyanka's foray into politics). Even people have accepted a family, why does the stomach of some have to ache?" the editorial asked sarcastically.

It said the BJP harbours ill feelings towards the Nehru-Indira family because the former sees it as formidable competition.

The editorial said the BJP was scared of a stiff challenge to it (from the Congress) as it tries to retain power.

"Priyanka bears an uncanny resemblance to her grandmother Indira Gandhi in looks and manner of speaking.Therefore, the Congress will surely benefit in the Hindi heartland," the Shiv Sena said, lauding her for agreeing to join active politics not worrying about cases against her husband Robert Vadra.

Priyanka, like Indira Gandhi, will emerge as the "queen" if she plays her cards well, the Sena said.

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10% quota move will backfire on BJP; 'bahujans' feeling duped: Tejashwi

The government has amended the Constitution without any report from any commission or social and economic survey, said Tejashwi.

The move of granting 10 per cent quota to general category poor will "backfire" on the BJP as the "bahujans" (majority) are feeling duped, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has said.

The Modi government met a key demand of those castes, which had so far not been covered under reservation benefits, earlier this month as it got a Constitution amendment bill passed in Parliament to give 10 per cent quota in education and jobs for the general category poor.

Yadav slammed the government's move as hasty and said that like demonetisation it was implemented hurriedly. Reservation was not a poverty alleviation programme, he added.

The government has amended the Constitution without any report from any commission or social and economic survey, he told PTI.

"To make such a provision, the government must have supporting data and figures, but the Modi government doesn't have that. They implemented it in a hurry, just like demonetisation. The BJP will bear the consequences of it," the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader said.

Asked if the government's move to give reservation to the general category poor will have an impact on the Lok Sabha polls, Yadav said contrary to the general perception, the reservation for the "so-called poor upper caste" persons will "backfire" on the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The Bahujan class is feeling duped... While it was stated that there is a cap of 50 per cent on reservations, but, suddenly the government opens a pandora's box and exceeds reservations beyond 50 per cent, that too without any demand, agitation or movement by beneficiary classes," the former Bihar deputy chief minister said.

"Now, the honourable Supreme Court will have to play by its own yardstick," he said.

'Bahujans', a reference to communities seen as traditionally backward and poor, were denied further reservation in the name of this 50 per cent limit, Yadav said.

Reservation is for ensuring representation to those who have been suffering for ages due to all kinds of inhuman atrocities and restrictions in the name of caste, he said.

"If atrocities were heaped in the name of caste, how can assertive steps or remedial measures be in the name of economic status," Yadav asked.

The RJD leader alleged the government was changing the narrative from caste-based atrocities to economic status to suit its "upper caste mindset".

"On what basis did the government give 10 per cent reservation to those who are already enjoying de facto 50 per cent reservation and in reality much more than that. And what about the caste-based census data? Why it is being hidden by the government? Is it banana republic or a democracy" he asked.

Business Standard

Has Swachh Bharat Mission really made India 96% open defecation free?

The Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin's achievements are built on shaky data left behind by the UPA government.

The Census 2011 told us only 32% of India’s rural households had toilets. Other studies showed that a fewer number of those households actually used those toilets.

Under the Narendra Modi government’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), much has changed. Firstly, commitment has come from the highest level of government, especially the prime minister. By all accounts, the secretary in charge of SBM is a remarkably driven man.

Secondly, under Swachh Bharat Mission , for the first time, the government is focusing on changing behaviour on a large scale. In fact, India is implementing the world’s largest collective behaviour movement for rural sanitation.

Third, there is new focus on verification of ODF (open defecation free) status by monitoring toilet use. Earlier it was counting the number of toilets built. SBM guidelines specifically state that the focus has to now be on counting ODF villages. However, the two have gone together (as we show below).

Fourth, money has been allocated on a scale hitherto unheard of to hire the staff to mobilise communities around sanitation. Half a million Swachhagrahis have been deployed in villages and districts (who, of course, need more support and training).

In 2014, the prime minister announced the goal of eliminating open defecation by 2019.

However, that would have required the slow pace of decline in open defecation to have accelerated, starting in 2014, by more than a multiple of 12. This would have been thrice as fast as the fastest five-year decline in open defecation ever recorded globally.

The speed with which toilets are being constructed has indeed gained momentum. Over 4.5 million toilets had been constructed between October 2014 and October 2017. This then jumped to 9.12 million by December 30 2018, and the number rises every minute as you watch the clicker on the ministry website.

By October 2017, more than 2,43,000 (of India’s 6,50,000) villages, 201 out of 677 districts and five states had been declared ODF. This then reached an incredible 5,39,000 villages, 580 districts and 27 states and UTs by December 30, 2018, in just 15 months. The speed of construction is nothing short of breakneck.

Business Standard

Indira Gandhi 2.0': RBI coup, CBI fight signs of Modi's authoritarian ways

One institution that is standing firm is India's Supreme Court, although it too has faced challenges.

When Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Urjit Patel abruptly resigned on Monday, it stunned many people in government and business circles.

Patel's decision, which came after months of bad blood between India's central bank and the government, is the latest sign that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is increasingly demanding that it get its way in the country's premier institutions.

From the RBI, the government demanded a reduction in lending curbs and a share of its surplus reserves.

Patel was appointed by Modi, but he resisted the demand. With him gone, and his replacement being a loyal ex-government bureaucrat, Modi is now expected to get most of what he wanted.

Other institutions know what it's like. Those who have been in the Hindu nationalist government's crosshairs include India's equivalent of America's FBI, its statistics authority, the civil service, the state media, and even Modi's own cabinet.

Sources in all of those areas have told Reuters they face political interference and a drive for centralised decision-making from a government under pressure to deliver results before a general election due by May next year. The BJP's defeats in some key state elections this week will pile on additional pressure.

The prime minister's office did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the subject. The government's main spokesman declined to comment.

Modi has not held a news conference during his time as prime minister and interviews are few and far between. He prefers to use Twitter to communicate and has a monthly radio broadcast to the nation.

Some political analysts and government officials label him as authoritarian. They say such autocracy is a dangerous game in India given the complex ethnic, religious and caste divisions among its 1.3 billion people.

"You can't govern like you do in China," said Mohan Guruswamy, founder of the Centre for Policy Alternatives think-tank and a former finance ministry official.

"You have to constantly build consensus. Even the British consulted people, and the Mughals co-opted local kings into their army," he said, referring to rulers in India before independence.

Others see the RBI merely as the latest battleground in a broader culture war between right-wing Hindu nationalists allied with the BJP, and a liberal intelligentsia that still dominates India's legal system, academia and English language media.

"The right feels like these institutions are rigged by the left," said Harsh Pant, a political scientist at the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation.

Business Standard

Ram temple: VHP says Hindus can't wait forever for SC verdict, seeks law

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, said an "appropriate bench" will decide in January next year the future course of hearing on the appeals filed against the Allahabad HC.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Monday said Hindus cannot wait eternally for a court judgement on the Ayodhya land dispute case and asked the government to bring a law for building a Ram temple.

It's working president Alok Kumar urged the Narendra Modi government to bring a legislation in the Winter Session.

His remarks came soon after the Supreme Court moved the hearing on the case to January next year.

"The Supreme Court has once again adjourned the hearing. This fortifies the VHP's stand that the solution to the Ram Janambhoomi issue is not in eternally waiting for hearing of appeals pending for over seven years.

We reiterate our request to the Union government to enact a law to clear the way for building a grand temple of Lord Ram at his birthplace in Ayodhya," Kumar told PTI.

This may be done in the coming winter session of Parliament, the head of the RSS affiliate said, adding that the Hindutva organisation will intensify its campaign for such a legislation if the government does not act.

The organisation has called a two-day 'Dharam Sansad', a meeting of seers, on January 31 and February 1 next year to discuss the Ram temple issue. This will be held on the sidelines of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, said an "appropriate bench" will decide in January next year the future course of hearing on the appeals filed against the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case.

Business Standard

What is a no-confidence motion? Find out as BJP govt, Opposition square off

The stage is all set in the Lok Sabha for a clash between the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition.

The Lok Sabha will on Friday debate the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi-led government, moved by N Chandrababu Naidu-led former ally, the Telegu Desam Party (TDP). Seven hours have been set aside for this debate, which will begin at 11 am.

On the first day of Parliament's monsoon session, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted the TDP's no-confidence motion against the Centre over the Andhra Pradesh special status row.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last faced a no-confidence motion under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003. The Vajpayee-led government had defeated the motion with an overwhelming majority.

What is a no-confidence motion?

While Article 75 of the Indian Constitution specifies that the council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People, there is no mention of a no-confidence motion in the Constitution: All it means is that the majority of the Lok Sabha members must be with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

Article 118 of the Constitution permits each House of Parliament to make its own rules for conduct of business. Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha specifies the procedure for a motion of no-confidence. Any member might give a written notice before 10 am; the Speaker will read the motion of no-confidence in the House and ask all those favouring the motion be taken up to rise. If there are 50 MPs in favour, the Speaker could allot a date for discussing the motion – but this has to be within 10 days. However, this cannot be done in conditions of din or confusion in the House.

Did a govt ever lose a no-confidence motion in India?

The first National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had lost such a motion in 1999.

What happens if both a motion for no-confidence and a motion for confidence are tabled?

In 1990, when V P Singh had tabled a motion of confidence and a member had given the notice for a no-confidence motion, the Speaker had given precedence to government business and taken the motion of confidence.

What happens if the prime minister loses a motion of confidence?

He has to resign, and the President has to identify another person who enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.

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Financially empowered women bulwark against societal evils: PM Modi

Modi noted in his interaction with self-help groups that agriculture and animal husbandry sectors, which are vital for rural economy cannot run without the participation of women.

Financially empowered women are a "bulwark against societal evils", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said while interacting with more than 10 million women associated with various self-help groups across the country.

"For women empowerment financial independence is necessary. Women are enterprising, they don't need to be taught, only need to be given opportunities to perform," he said during the interaction through the Narendra Modi Mobile App.

Underlining the importance of women empowerment especially in rural areas for overall development of the society, Modi said women in the country have huge potential in them and need to realise their capabilities.

"Financial independence makes a woman assertive and empowered. Financially empowered women are a bulwark against societal evils," he said.

The prime minister appreciated the role of women self help groups in development of rural areas.

Since 2014 the government has created 2 million self-help groups on priority, and over 22.5 million families have been brought into their fold, he said.

"So far 4.5 million women self help groups have been created with 50 million active women participants... in fact these groups have added one more earning member in these 50 million families in rural areas," he said.

Modi also noted that agriculture and animal husbandry sectors, which are vital for rural economy cannot run without the participation of women.

During the interaction, women also shared their inspiring and touching stories and how the self-help groups have helped them improve their lives.

Modi said women self help groups are laying the foundation of financial prosperity in rural areas and added that women in the country have potential to transform the society.

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Rahul Gandhi meets Muslim delegation, BJP calls it appeasement politics

PM Modi must be asked questions regarding his meetings with 'crony capitalists', the Congress said in its reply.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday held a meeting with Muslim intellectuals, industrialists and former bureaucrats even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pointed to the Congress party’s “politics of Muslim appeasement”.

The meeting comes a week before the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Issues related to minorities are said to have been discussed in the meeting. The Narendra Modi government is keen to push through the 'triple talaq' Bill during the upcoming session of Parliament.

Sources in the Congress said contrary to media reports, there wasn’t a single Muslim religious leader in the gathering. Congress leader Salman Khurshid and party’s minority cell chief Nadeem Javed also attended the meeting.

The Congress party rejected the BJP's criticism that the meeting with Muslim intellectuals was an example of “Muslim appeasement”. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said her party believes in inclusive politics, and the Congress president has been meeting people from all walks of life, including farmers, diplomats, Aanganwadi workers, businesspersons and others.

“The BJP is indulging in poisonous politics whereby it is trying to make people look at any and every debate through the prism of Hindus-and-Muslims,” Chaturvedi said. She said questions should be asked to the Prime Minister for meeting and benefitting "crony capitalists".

Some of those who attended the meeting were publisher Atiya Zaidi, historian Irfan Habib, academic Abu Saleh Shariff, former telecom secretary M F Farooqui, author Rakshanda Jalil, activist Farah Naqvi, businessman and philanthropist Haroon R A Khan, lawyer Fuzail Ahmed Ayyuby and academic Ghazala Jamil.

Amir Mohammad Khan, better known as Suleiman, the erstwhile Raja of Mamudabad, also attended the meeting, as did industrialist Junaid Rehman.

According to a section of the media, poet and Hindi film scriptwriter Javed Akhtar too was supposed to be present. The Congress party said Akhtar didn’t attend the event. Media reports said Akhtar was one of the invitees, which riled leaders of Muslim religious organisations.

“Interesting that Akhtar, who proudly claims himself to be an atheist and doesn’t believe in Islam, would join the group of Muslim intellectuals who have been called by Rahul Gandhi to deliberate on ‘Muslim’ issues,” president of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat Navaid Hamid tweeted.

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