Brief Summary
This episode of Spotlight discusses Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visits to Bihar and West Bengal, where he launched and laid foundation stones for various developmental projects. The discussion covers the schemes launched, political messaging, job creation, infrastructure development, and the focus on empowering women and providing homes for the poor. Key takeaways include the PM's emphasis on job creation, infrastructure development, and political strategies for the upcoming elections.
- Launch of developmental projects in Bihar and West Bengal.
- Focus on job creation and empowerment of women.
- Political messaging and strategies for upcoming elections.
PM's Visit to Bihar: Project Launches and Political Messaging
The Prime Minister's visit to Bihar involved launching and laying foundation stones for developmental projects worth ₹7,200 crores, including a software technology park and four new Amrit Bharat trains. He addressed a rally in Motihari, delivering a political speech with the slogan "baniharbar ndskar", attacking the previous Congress RJD government's policies. The PM prioritised job creation for the youth, highlighting a central government scheme launching on August 1st, providing ₹1 lakh crore in collaboration with the private sector, offering ₹15,000 to young people joining the private sector, and incentives for companies employing people from different sections.
Job Creation and Eradication of Naxalism
The Prime Minister discussed the central government's scheme to boost jobs in the private sector and the contribution of Mudra loans in creating employment among youth. He also highlighted the power sector's role in making India self-reliant and providing jobs, particularly through renewable energy, achieving 50% renewable energy share five years ahead of the Paris climate agreement target. Furthermore, he criticised Lalu Prasad's past practices of taking land for jobs and emphasised the NDA government's transparent job creation efforts, also noting the significant progress in eradicating Naxalism, with nearly 500 Naxals killed in Chhattisgarh in the last 18 months.
Development and Empowerment in Bihar
The Prime Minister criticised the RJD over the land-for-job case and highlighted that 20 lakhs out of 1.5 crore "lakpati didis" (women entrepreneurs) in the country are in Bihar. The government released ₹1,000 crores to 24,000 self-help groups in Bihar in the last 45 days. He expressed a vision to develop Motihari like Mumbai, emphasising that Bihar's progress is the country's progress. The BJP JDU government is providing "paka" (permanent) houses to lakhs of people, a facility previously impossible under the RJD Congress rule.
Infrastructure and Connectivity Projects in Bihar
The Prime Minister announced four new Amrit Bharat trains connecting Rajendra Nagar terminal (Patna) to New Delhi, Modihari to Delhi, Tarbanga to Lacnau, and Malda to Lacnau, improving connectivity for people of Bihar working across the country. He emphasised providing homes to the poor, stating that 60 lakh homes have been built in Bihar and 4 crore across India, equipped with toilets and essential facilities. The focus is also on improving road networks and infrastructure projects, linking Bihar and Jharkand, and prioritising the development of backward regions in Bihar.
Focus on Women and Political Strategy in Bihar
The Prime Minister highlighted the economic empowerment of women through self-help groups and complimented Chief Minister Nitesh Kumar for increasing financial assistance to poor women. The visit was seen as a launch of the NDA campaign for the upcoming elections, with the PM having made three visits to Bihar in the last three months. It was clarified that the NDA would contest the election under the leadership of incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, addressing any speculation about differences between the JDU and BJP.
West Bengal Visit: Development Projects and Political Speech
In West Bengal, the Prime Minister launched various schemes, including a ₹1,950 crore distribution project by Bharat Petroleum Corporation to enhance oil and gas infrastructure in Bangora and Purelia districts, delivering piped natural gas to households, commercial entities, and industrial units. He dedicated the 132-kilometre Dapur to Kolkata section of the Dapur Haldya natural gas pipeline and the Bokaro Dhamas stretch, part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project. In the energy sector, he inaugurated gas distribution systems at Dapur steel thermal power station and Ragunatpur thermal power station, aiming to reduce pollution and promote clean energy.
Addressing Migration and Vision for West Bengal
The Prime Minister addressed the issue of youth migration from West Bengal for jobs, emphasising the need to create opportunities within the state. He reiterated the BJP's vision for a developed West Bengal, highlighting the central government's efforts to provide gas connections and pushing for developmental works. He also mentioned the bottlenecks faced from the West Bengal government. The focus of the Prime Minister's visit to both Bihar and West Bengal was primarily on developmental infrastructure projects brought by the central government.
