Initiate reforms to take Karnataka forward, PM tells State govt.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the State government to initiate and introduce reforms to take Karnataka to greater heights.

“Whether it is Central government or State government, it should serve people. Together both should move in this direction. It is their (State government’s) responsibility to initiate new reforms,” he said during the launch of three Vande Bharat Express trains and Namma Metro’s Yellow Line.

Mr. Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Orange line.

While the U.S. President Donald Trump called India a “dead economy” recently, the Prime Minister countered it by saying Bharat was the fastest growing economy in the world - making into top five economies in the world from 10th place 11 years ago and speeding towards to be in top three.

Mr. Modi said, “Reforms have been taken forward in the last 10 years. The State government came work towards ending unnecessary legislations. When the new reforms are pushed by the State government, it will help take Karnataka to new heights.” Urging Karnataka to lead the Atma Nirbhar Bharat with its talent, he said that Bengaluru should contribute more in Make in India initiative.

Develop more IT products

To the IT industry, Mr. Modi said that it was time for IT companies to develop more IT products for the country. “Bengaluru can participate fully in the digital technology. India is marching towards global AI leadership. The first semi conductor chip will be manufactured in India soon. As much as 50% of global UPI transactions are happening in India, and more than 2,200 government services are being offered through mobile phone.”

Listing his government’s achievements over 11 years, Mr. Modi said that metro has been introduced in 24 cities from five cities in 2014, 40,000 km of electrification of railway lines have been added to the network that had 20,000 km in 2014.

“From 74 airports in 2014, India currently has more than 160. In health sector, number of AIIMS has gone up from seven to 20 and medical colleges from 387 to 704, adding more than one lakh medical seats. The number of IITs has gone up from 16 to 23, IIITs from nine to 23, and IIMs from 13 to 21. Students today have vast opportunities in higher education.” On economic front, the Prime Minister said the exports increased from $468 billion to $824 billion, and India, once a mobile importer, is now in top five exporters of mobile phones.