Narendra Modi Govt’s historic first 100 days

Thawarchand Gehlot
The National Democratic Alliance government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has completed 100 days recently. With the promise of ‘SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikaas, SabkaVishwaas’ in mind, Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s Cabinet of Ministers took oath on 30 May 2019. Without doubt, this is by far the best initial70days of a govt compared to the govts of the previous 70 years of the country. The Modi govt has completely lived up to the trust and expectations based on which the people of India gave us the massive mandate. The first session of the 17th LokSabha in a nutshell focused on national unity, national security, financial robustness, social justice, women empowerment and farmer welfare. In the due course of it, the Parliament clocked a record 281 working hours, during which 36 Bills were passed by the Lok Sabha (the highest since 1952), 32 Bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha, while 30 Bills were passed by both the Houses, the highest in the past 10 years by any government.
The dream of a unified India, nurtured by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and crores of Indians, was finally accomplished on 5 August 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A. This historic decision was taken to provide equal rights to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, along with Leh-Ladakh, and meet the unfulfilled expectations of the backward classes, Dalits and adivasi women in other parts of the country. This move was welcomed and appreciated from Parliament to every household, villages and cities, and people commended the govt’s decision. The Modi govt is determined to deliver social justice and empower people from every community across the country. In its 60 days, the govt of PM Narendra Modi struck down the practice of ‘teen talaq’ by bringing into effect The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019, to provide equal rights and empower women from the Muslim community. On this historic day, crores of Muslim women who had been subjected to atrocities under the age-old malpractice finally found relief and respect, and this Bill brought about a ray of hope in their lives. In the same Parliament session, the govT passed the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in order to strengthen protection of child rights. As per the new rule, sexual offences against children will be dealt with death penalty. As many as 1023 fast track courts are being set up across the country to expedite the hearing and judgments in POCSO cases.
The Parliament also passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 in order to bring the transgender community into the mainstream fold. Under this Bill, measures have been undertaken to protect the rights and uphold the identity of transgenders. In order to uphold the rights of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Class and Economically Backward Class, the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Bill, 2019 was unanimously passed by both Houses of the Parliament. As per the Bill, universities and colleged will be considered as a single entity and the appointments will be made based on the former reservation criteria of 200-point roster. Similarly, the Wage Code Act, 2019 was passed by Parliament, as per which discrimination against women will now be quashed and they will be provided equal wages as men. As per this, the government has also decided to provide a statutory minimum wage from time to time to over 50-crore workers in the organised and unorganised sectors. The govt has also given its approval for the Deposit Schemes Act, 2019 in order to crack down on financial frauds and protect the poor.
The govt has launched the ‘Go Tribal’ campaign in order to boost and empower tribal communities and to encourage them to produce their indigenous commodities. With an aim to implement welfare schemes with respect to ST to ensure more e-governance in the sector, e-governance initiatives have been launched as part of the tribal welfare schemes. Similarly, the government has set a target of 100 per cent digitalisation of wakf welfare funds in the first 100 days of its governance in order to ensure welfare of minority communities.
In another scheme, different kinds of scholarships will be given to 50 per cent girl children along with 5 crore minority students in a span of 5 years. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has in the past 5 years made record accomplishments in the elevation and empowerment of SCs, backward classes, social defense and the handicapped. Keeping in mind the government’s aim for the first 10 days, the ministry had set two major targets, which includes the establishment of India’s first National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation. All tasks required to set up this centre in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh have been completed. The next major task is to put a ban on alcohol and intoxicating substances and to prevent people from falling prey to such malices. Camps are being set up across the country to spread awareness and special initiatives are being organised in this regard.
Our country is facing a huge challenge of water management and clean drinking water. Keeping this very concern in mind, the govt under PM NarendraModi had set up the Ministry of Jal Shakti on the very first day of its governance. Within 30 days of the ministry’s inception, a ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ was launched for water conservation and water management. The ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ has today transformed into a massive campaign.
 Our agricultural farmers have always been at the centre of this govt’s key focus areas and strong measures have been undertaken to increase the wages of farmers. Over 2 crore farmers were brought under the fold of the PM-Kisan scheme and the total beneficiaries under the scheme has now crossed a mammoth figure of 14.5 crores.
To provide the farmers with a comfortable livelihood, the govt launched the PradhanMantriKisanMaanDhanYojana (farmers pension scheme), under which around 5 crore small and marginal farmers will get pension benefits. In order to double the wages of farmers, the govt has decided to set a minimum support price (MSP) for the growth and production of Kharif crops.
Good governance is at the centrepoint of this govt. There were several laws formulated by previous govt that proved as roadblocks for daily livelihood of citizens as well as businesses, and they were also misused by several people to exploit the common man. Since 2014, over a 1000 of such unwanted and unwarranted archaic laws were quashed through several Bills. Simultaneously, in order to further bolster the judicial system, along with the Chief Justice of India, the strength of the Supreme Court judges have been increased from 30 to 33. In a fierce crackdown on terrorism and to counter anti-national activities, the govt brought into effect the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019. The govt can now proclaim not just an organisation but also an individual as a ‘terrorist’. For a long time, there was a requirement of an effective, safe, corruption free transportation system, which has been resolved through the introduction of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. As a result of this amended act, there is safety on roads has improved and it has also facilitated citizens to deal with transport departments; automation and computerization of the rural and public transport systems will strengthen connectivity through online services.
In the past 100 days, the govt has taken strong measures in line with its aim to become aRs 5 trillion economy.  The Centre has decided to pump in over Rs 100 lakh crore in the infrastructure sector. With an aim to make the railways India’s ‘engine of development’, the govt has allocated Rs 50 lakh crores in 2019 Union Budget for a period of 10 years till 2030. To ease passenger comfort and save their time, the govt has set aside a fund of Rs 19,000 crores to lay new railway lines and manufacture new locomotives and coaches, which also includes the target of achieving a speed of 160 kilometres per hour for trains. Similarly, to fast track development in the energy sector, the govt has launched PM-KUSUM with new goals and objectives. Under the Smart Cities Mission, as many as 88 projects worth Rs 609 crores have been completed in the past 75 days. Over 2.7-crore people will benefit from the ‘One City One Impact’ programme that has been launched for 100 days.
In the urban sector, the govt has set a target to construct 4.26 crore houses worth Rs 23,400 crores by 2021-22. Similarly, in the rural areas, the Centre has set a target to construct 1.95 crore houses. Undoubtedly, the Modi govt has achieved record accomplishments in national security, economic development, social unity and harmony through various steps and initiatives in its first 100 days.
 However, the Modi govt does not work with the agenda to establish record accomplishments, but as a responsibility towards the 130 crore citizens of the country who have been disregarded and shunned by the previous govts. This is because of PM NarendraModiji’s vision and commitment towards his responsibility that India is united from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, that every citizen is equal and everyone is entitled to equal rights. In addition to this, the country has formed a formidable image on the global stage under the leadership of Prime Minister NarendraModiji. India has not only upheld the motto of ‘SabkaSaath, SabkaVikaas, SabkaVishwaas’ in the country, but also across the world.
The writer is Union Minister, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment